Fernet-Branca & Friends

There are several iconic Northern Italian drinks that are seeing huge increases in their popularity. Why? Because they are splendid and have memorable, even overwhelming, flavours.

Campari – please see our previous post here – Campari  – is a favourite and when mixed with soda or orange juice it becomes a excellent pre-dinner long-drink. The taste can best be described as “bitter” in a wonderfully flavorsome way almost perfumed. Like so many of its contemporaries the recipe for Campari is a closely guarded secret.

Why not add this cool T shirt featuring Leonetto Cappiello’s iconic Campari vintage advertising image. Minty Tees Men’s Classic Bitter Campari XXXX-Large Maroon

A drink has been seen recently to challenge Campari’s position. This upstart is Aperol and is only fractionally younger than Campari. It was first offered in 1919 by the Barbieri company in Padua. Post WW11 it became very successful and was “rediscovered” recently by the international market.

It is now made by Campari and whilst it may be seen as competitive, Aperol is less bitter and beats the relatively low alcohol Campari on alcohol content. Depending on where it is purchased Aperol’s content various from 11% in its home market and 15% in Germany.

Why not try a delicious Aperol? Click the following AMAZON link Aperol Aperitivo, 70 cl

Aperol Spritz is a favourite was of serving this refereshing drink as an aperitif. It comprises 6cl Prosecco, 4cl of Aperol Spritz and a splash of soda water.

Why not try these pre-mixed Aperol & Sodas by clicking the following AMAZON link Aperol Soda (6 x125ml)

Served as after-dinner “digestifs” the recent trend is for those drinks that take their flavours from infused herbs and are often described either as an Amaro (literally Italian for “bitter”). For me, the best of these, is that was launched by Bernardino Branca in Milan in 1845 and known as “Fernet-Branca” which led to the founding of the Fratelli Branca Distillerie.

We know that the recipe of Fernet-Branca aromatic spirit is an industrial secret handed down through the generations – its currently known by Fernet-Branca’s President, Niccolò Branca – the but its thought that its 27 herbs and other ingredients consist of myrrh, rhubarb, chamomile, cardamom, aloe and saffron based on a distilled grape spirit. It has a reasonably high alcohol content at 39%

Fernet-Branca is used in several cocktails including a “Toronto” – Canadian whisky, Fernet-Branca, angostura bitters, and sugar syrup and a “Hanky Panky” – developed by The Savoy Hotel legendary bartender, Ada Coleman – comprising 1/2 Italian Vermouth, 1/2 Dry Gin and 2 dashes Fernet Branca. Stir and garnish with orange peel. In Argentina, partly as a result of the number of Italian emigres post WW11 and partly because Fernet-Branca’s concentrated marketing effort there, the mix of Fernet-Branca and Coca-cola – known as “Fernet con Cola” – continues to be very popular.

If you’d like to enjoy this fine Italian digestif please click the following link to buy a bottle of Fernet-Branca on AMAZON  Fernet Branca, 70cl 

I must confess – I don’t know what it is – but there is an essential combination of almost magical ingredients with Fernet-Branca that creates an elixir that has the most soothing effect on an over-burdened digestion. I am no Doctor but hugely recommend Fernet-Branca. Then again, I do tend to buy into those products that demonstrate certain claims which are extensively tested over the long-term.

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Images courtesy of Davide Campari Milan SpA. and Fratelli Branca Distillerie.

 

 

Loden overcoat

It gets to this time of year and if I am due to be in London, after nearly fifteen years of blood thinning that seems consistent with a move to sunnier climes, I have an arm wrestle with the hungry moths who gather expectantly around my Loden overcoat.

I bought my Loden overcoat at Galeries Lafayette’s stunning store on Boulevard Haussmann (75009 Paris) in 1982 for, I recall £90 (or then 900FF). It is simply the most beautiful and hard wearing garment that I have ever owned. It’s as close to a waterproof, coat-shaped blanket as you’ll find. With leather cuffs, an unstructured body and fitted shoulders these coats were designed for deep Austrian winters and, naturally, can cope very well with a paltry 5 degrees in London. Bring it on!

But what is Loden? Rather unappetisingly, the name “Loden” derives from Old High German ‘lodo’, meaning that ‘coarse cloth’ – which, I can assure you, the modern variant is far from.

It has its origins in the Tyroll and is thought to have been produced, originally, by Austrian peasants. Its thick, water-resistant and short pile comes from the coarse, oily wool of mountain sheep.

Loden fabric comprises strong yarns that are loosely woven into cloth which then is subjected to a process of shrinking that eventually gives it a felt type appearance and it becomes quite dense. It is then extensively brushed and clipped by a repeated process that results in a supple, windproof and extremely durable material that is similar to wooden “melton” and “duffle” as used in duffle coats – another favourite – please see our earlier post – https://aestheticons.wordpress.com/2016/11/15/duffle-coat/

Loden coats are traditionally available in two colours navy – as mine  which is still available from Steinbock’s in Innsbruck (Austria) – and olive green although other variations including grey and camel, are available. Cordings in Piccadilly also have a stock and usually a New Year’s sale.
Image by Models Own

 

Driza-Bone coat

The company who manufacture Driza-Bone (trademark first registered in 1933) – “dry as a bone” – was established in 1898. It is Australian owned and is manufactured in Australia.

The Driza-Bone derives from traditional Australian stockman coats with a tough cotton construction and an oilskin coating. Used primarily for riding, they are long in the body and tied at the legs for protection for horse and rider against the rain.

See also Piaggio Vespa ET2 –  as they are also perfect as coats for riding scooters in all manner of wet London conditions.

Oilskin manufacturer, Emilius Le Roy, emigrated from Scotland to New Zealand in the late 1880’s and recycled clothes for sailors from lightweight sails that were waterproofed by the application of linseed oil. T.E. Pearson took Leroy Coats to Australia where they sold well to stockmen, he also developed a new means on sealing the coats to reduce their flammability. He and Leroy entered a partnership to make the coats.

Steve Bennett, the Australian who founded Country Road  in 1974 – “creating simply beautiful merchandise designed to reflect an authentically Australian way of life” – purchased the company in late 2008 and relocated the business to Melbourne, (Victoria).

Aside from its classic design and hard wearing qualities, in my experience of many years of wearing, Driza-Bone coats are very comfortable and hugely durable even in the worst weather. They are not a fashion item – they sit above that – but they are an iconic symbol of their Australian heritage.

Photo from Driza-Bone