The sweet, heady days of summer are just around the corner, which means long, warm afternoons with good company and this summer’s must-have companion – a Regal Rogue aperitif.

Think nibbles around the pool or appetisers on the deck, and an aperitif in hand, created from organic Australian wine and Indigenous Aboriginal botanicals for a refreshing pre-dinner tastebud dance. So let’s delve into the world of the aperitif, and explore why it’s this year’s summer entertaining must-have.

What is an aperitif?

If we want to get really technical, aperitif comes from the Latin word ‘aperire’, which means ‘to open’ – pretty much the same origin as the word ‘appetiser’. In essence, it’s a drink that’s taken before a meal, to open up the palate in anticipation of dinner.

It’s actually a really beautiful way to welcome someone to a dinner party – you’re telling them that there’s an incredible meal on the way, and you want them to enjoy every last bite! So it’s time to wake up their tastebuds!

An aperitif has some common characteristics that make it what it is:

• They’re dry.
• They’re designed to whet the appetite.
• They usually have a low alcohol content, so that you’ll still have a healthy appetite for dinner.
• They’re light, so that they ‘open up’ the palate.

An aperitif is typically made with vermouth, gin or some type of dry wine or spirit.

Why drink an aperitif?

Like any beverage, the number one reason is because it tastes good! And we’re going to raise a glass to Regal Rogue for leading the way in Australian aperitifs, because Mouths of Mums reviewers can vouch to its delicious and sophisticated taste!

The next reason to drink an aperitif is to stimulate the tastebuds ahead of a delicious meal. As we explained, because aperitifs are dry and low in alcohol content, they’ll fuel your hunger and sharpen your tastebuds!

So why is Regal Rogue the aperitif of the summer?

Regal Rogue is unashamedly passionate about being crafted from 100% organic Australian wine. Using the oldest indigenous botanicals in Australia to create the ultimate wine aperitif, Regal Rogue sources its native botanicals from Australia’s indigenous communities and its grapes from an award-winning organic winemaker.

Regal Rogue is all about elevating the everyday – making memorable moments out of the ordinary. A simple meal. An afternoon chat. An evening of nibbles and natter. It’s those fleeting hours that seem so unassuming, but in the end become the nights we recall over and over again.

Let’s take a closer look at the Regal Rogue range, to help create the most incredible cocktails, to be enjoyed as an aperitif.

Regal Rogue Lively White

Style: Semi-dry.
80gms sugar per litre. 43% less than the category standard.

A heavenly vermouth for citrus lovers, Regal Rogue Lively White combines an un-wooded, organic Chardonnay from Orange in  NSW, with native Lemon Myrtle, Desert Limes, Finger Limes and Native Thyme with Elderflower, Lemongrass, Grapefruit and Chamomile.

A heady wine base for your next Rogue Tipple – perhaps a Lively White Negroni, combining Regal Rogue Lively White with gin and Suze Liqueur. Or go for a three-step aperitif by combining Regal Rogue Lively White, Elderflower Tonic, a lemon wedge and a sprig of rosemary. Served over ice, it’s a refreshing summer sipper.

Regal Rogue Daring Dry

Style: Extra-dry.
25gms sugar per litre.

Prepare yourself for a unique savoury and salty toned vermouth, which has a umami finish. Combining organic Sauvignon Blanc from Orange, NSW,  with native Anise Myrtle, Quandong, Native Thyme, white pepper, gentian, olive leaf and juniper. It’s salt-of-the-earth Aussie stuff.

Pair Regal Rogue Daring Dry with vodka or a dry gin for a deliciously well-rounded martini. Or, sticking with our aperitif theme, add Indian Tonic, a caper berry or olive and a sprig of thyme and serve over ice. A sophisticated and complex aperitif.

Regal Rogue Bold Red

Style: Semi-Dry.
80gms sugar per litre. 64% less than the category standard.

This is truly something to be celebrated – one of the world’s first dry Red vermouths, it celebrates spice and rich dried fruit. Naturally spice organic Shiraz is combined with organic, unwooded Chardonnay and native pepper berry, wattle seed and native thyme. It’s finished with cinnamon, clove, star anise, nutmeg, ginger, bitter orange, dried fig and dried cherry.

Go straight for a Rogroni: Regal Rogue Bold Red, gin and Aperol. Or get those tastebuds zinging with a three-step aperitif with Regal Rogue Bold Red, ginger beer, fresh orange and a ginger slice. Your palate will be awakened.

Regal Rogue Wild Rosé

Style: Semi-Dry.
70gms sugar per litre. One of four Rosé vermouths globally.

This gorgeous vermouth combines dry organic Cabernet Rosé with native Illawarra plums, Rosella, Strawberry gum, fruit spice, rhubarb and Kina.

Use Regal Rogue Wild Rosé to create a three-step aperitif by adding Sicilian lemonade or bitter lemon, a lemon wedge and strawberry. Served over ice, you’ve got summer in a glass.

Discover your Rogue at your local Dan Murphy’s.

WOM Network is proudly working with Regal Rogue to bring you this article. Working with the celebrated winemaker Justin Jarrett, Regal Rogue selects grapes from his organic vineyard to showcase across its range with the complimenting native herbs and spices to create a fresh, natural range of wine Aperitifs.

This article first appeared on Mouths Of Mums.