Cappelletti Aperitivo

Cappelletti Aperitivo, nicknamed "Il Specialino" by locals, is one of the oldest styles of Italian red bitter still in production, made by the same family in Trentino-Alto Adige since 1909. Unlike spirit-based aperitivi such as Campari or Aperol, Cappelletti is built on a wine base, primarily Trebbiano, infused with a blend of alpine herbs, bitter orange, gentian root, and rhubarb, and colored with natural carmine rather than artificial dye. That vinous foundation gives it a distinctive texture and freshness, sitting comfortably between Aperol's sweetness and Campari's bitterness, at 17% ABV. On the nose, expect bright citrus (orange peel, grapefruit zest) alongside herbal, slightly earthy notes of gentian and rhubarb, with a whisper of warm spice. The palate carries that same bright citrus character into a balanced sweet-bitter profile, finishing dry and refreshing with a lingering, wine-like structure that's less cloying than many of its peers. Its lower sweetness and wine-driven acidity make it especially versatile behind the bar: excellent in a classic spritz, but also drier and more food-friendly in a Negroni or Boulevardier-style riff than a fully spirit-based bitter would be.