BOTTLE CRUSH: Dionese’s Bitter Aperitif Wine. Made in New York.
It’s not only the Hudson Valley. Dionese’s Bitter Aperitif Wine is made in Rensselaer County as a collaboration 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 how the collaboration between wine maker Val Feldman, (Stable Gate Winery) and NYC Bartender, Francesco Dionese, came about 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. 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.
WHY THIS ONE? The before-dinner Italian aperitivo is a casual pleasure enjoyed with friends to end the workday and whet the appetite for dinner. The choice of botanicals is what gives any aromatized, fortified wine its unique flavor and Dionese's vermouth is made with eleven organic botanicals and raw Demerara sugar to balance bitterness and create a unique bittersweet profile. If 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.