Giulio Cocchi is the historic house of Asti in Piedmont, founded in 1891 and famous for Vermouth di Torino and aromatised wines. It is also a leading producer of Alta Langa, Piedmont's traditional-method sparkling wine.
Giulio Cocchi: an Asti house since 1891
Giulio Cocchi was a young pastry maker from Florence who moved to Asti and, in 1891, began making his own aromatised wines and sparkling Moscato. His recipes for vermouth, aperitivo and Barolo Chinato became fixtures of the cafés of Piedmont and beyond. Since 1978 the house has been owned by the Bava family, wine producers in Monferrato and the Langhe, who have kept the original recipes while investing in sparkling wine.
Cocchi Storico Vermouth di Torino
Vermouth di Torino is a protected designation: an Italian wine base, aromatised with Artemisia (wormwood) and other botanicals, made in Piedmont. Cocchi Storico Vermouth di Torino follows the house's historic recipe, built on Moscato wine from the Asti area with wormwood, rhubarb, bitter orange and other botanicals. It is rich and bittersweet, with notes of orange zest, rhubarb, cocoa and liquorice, and a clean bitter finish.
Bartenders reach for it in a Negroni, a Manhattan or a Martinez, but it is just as good on its own over ice with a twist of orange, or topped with soda as a long aperitivo. Once opened, keep the bottle in the fridge and finish it within a few weeks.
Cocchi Alta Langa: traditional-method sparkling wine from Piedmont
Alta Langa DOCG is Piedmont's answer to Champagne: Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the high hills of the Langhe, Roero and Monferrato, made by the traditional method with second fermentation in bottle and a long time on the lees. Cocchi has long championed the appellation, and its range shows several styles.
- Cocchi Alta Langa Totocorde Brut 2020: the house cuvée, mostly Pinot Noir with some Chardonnay, crisp and toasty.
- Cocchi Alta Langa Bianc 'd Bianc Brut 2019: a blanc de blancs from Chardonnay, fine and citrusy.
- Cocchi Alta Langa Espressione Noir Pas Dosé 2018: Pinot Noir without dosage, deep and bone dry.
- Cocchi Alta Langa Rosa Brut 2020: a rosé with red berry fruit.
- Cocchi Alta Langa Extra Brut 2020: a low-dosage, saline style for the table.
Cocchi Asti Spumante
Cocchi Asti Spumante goes back to the house's roots: a sweet, gently sparkling Moscato from Asti, light in alcohol and full of grape, peach and orange blossom. Serve it well chilled with fruit desserts, panettone or simply as a sweet sparkling toast.
How to serve Giulio Cocchi
Serve the Alta Langa wines at 6 to 8°C in a wine glass rather than a narrow flute, so the aromas can open. They are excellent with fried food, raw fish, salumi and Piedmontese starters such as vitello tonnato. Vermouth is best chilled or over ice. Discover more vermouth, wines from Piedmont, other sparkling wine, or compare Alta Langa with Champagne.
FAQ about Giulio Cocchi
What is Cocchi Storico Vermouth di Torino?
A sweet red vermouth made to Giulio Cocchi's original recipe, on a Moscato wine base with wormwood, rhubarb, bitter orange and other botanicals. It carries the protected Vermouth di Torino designation.
How do you drink Cocchi vermouth?
Over ice with an orange twist, with soda as a long drink, or in classic cocktails such as the Negroni and Manhattan.
What is Alta Langa?
A DOCG for traditional-method sparkling wine from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grown in the hills of southern Piedmont, aged for a long time on the lees before release.
Who owns Giulio Cocchi?
The Bava family, a Piedmont wine family, has owned and run the house since 1978.
Does vermouth go off after opening?
Vermouth is wine-based, so it slowly loses freshness once open. Keep it in the fridge with the cap on and enjoy it within a few weeks.