Vermouth is a fortified wine that is flavored with various botanicals, including herbs, spices, and roots. It typically has a sweet or dry taste, depending on the type. Originally developed in Italy and France, vermouth is often used as an aperitif or in cocktails, such as the classic Martini. There are two main types of vermouth: sweet vermouth, which is darker and richer, and dry vermouth, which is lighter and more aromatic. The production process involves infusing the base wine with the selected botanicals and adding a distilled spirit, usually brandy, to increase the alcohol content.