Punt e Mes
Punt e Mes was created by Carpano in Turin in 1870, allegedly named when a stockbroker at a nearby exchange ordered his vermouth with 'a point and a half' (punt e mes in Piedmontese dialect) of bitterness. Carpano, the house that invented modern sweet vermouth in 1786, developed this expression as a bolder, more bitter-forward departure from their original formula. It became a fixture of the Italian aperitivo tradition, served at the counters of Turin's historic cafés throughout the Belle Époque.
Flavor Profile
Punt e Mes strikes a pronounced balance between sweet vermouth richness and assertive quinine bitterness, opening with dark cherry, dried fig, and cocoa before a long, pleasantly bitter finish. The wine base carries notes of orange peel, cinnamon, and vanilla, while a proprietary blend of herbs and roots adds complexity reminiscent of gentian and cinchona bark. The overall effect is richer and more medicinal than standard sweet vermouth, with a lingering bittersweet character.