BOTTLE CRUSH: Dionese’s Bitter Aperitif Wine. Made in New York.
It’s not always about the Hudson Valley. Dionese’s Bitter Aperitif Wine is made in Rensselaer County in the Capital Region as a collab between a Castleton winery + an Italian bartender in New York.
“Having already sampled the Dionese’s Bitter Aperitif Wine at the Stable Gate Winery Tasting Room, I had to pop a bottle in my bag when I headed to the Cape. Pop some soda water, ice + a bottle of Dionese’s in your cooler + head out. This one’s your new favorite spritz this summer.” - SDP
THE MOOD: Beach Days | Italian aperitif cocktails | Books in hammocks | Takeout pizza | Steaks on the grill
THE PICK: Dionese’s Bitter Aperitif Wine
THE PRICE: $28
THE BACKSTORY: Read about the collaboration between wine maker Val Feldman, (Stable Gate Winery) and NYC Bartender, Francesco Dionese, in Val’s tastemaker interview.
PRODUCTION: Val & Francesco first collaborated on the Dionese’s sweet red vermouth with deep intense fruitiness, bitterness and subtle herbal notes from a botanical bouquet of eleven organic botanicals including wormwood, angelica, juniper, cardamom and cinnamon. The base of Dionese's vermouth is wine from small producers in the Finger Lakes fortified with grape brandy to preserve the product and slow oxidation.
Dionese's bitter aperitif wine follows a similar production process as the vermouth. The blend of botanicals is what gives any aromatized, fortified wine its unique flavor and Dionese’s bitter aperitif features Gentian, orange and rhubarb, with raw Demerara sugar for balance and to create a unique herbal, bittersweet character. Excellent mixed with sparkling water or in a spritz.
WHY THIS ONE? The before-dinner Italian aperitivo is a casual pleasure enjoyed with friends to end a workday and whet the appetite for dinner. TIf you’re familiar with a sweeter Aperol Spritz or bitter Campari and soda, you’ll know they’re a refreshing long drink for a warm day. As an aperitif, the bitterness shines paired with soda water, tonic water or sparkling wine, but some people like to add a splash of orange juice. It’s good either way.
GIRL DINNER OR SNACK TO PAIR: Typically a drink before a meal, bitter aperitif wines pair brilliantly with salty snacks like potato chips, Castelvetrano olives, tinned fish, charcuterie, or prosciutto and mozzeralla. I also like it with chilled salted watermelon.
WANT TO TRY IT? Visit the Stable Gate Winery tasting room or come out for The Dishing x Stable Gate Winery’s La Hora del Vermut social on August 12, 2026.
