Vermouth

Vermouth is a popular, complex, aromatized wine with a relatively high alcoholic content that is importnat to making many mixed drinks. If you buy a bottle of either sweet or dry and let it stand for weeks after it has been opened, you will find the subtle flavor overtones that vermouth can impart to drinks will disappear.

Helpul hint: Store opened bottles of vermouth in your fridge and buy smaller bottle (unless you use a lot of vermouth). It takes up less space and will hopefully be used up before it gets stale.