Certified Specialist of Spirits - Vodka
What is non-flavored vodka termed?
"Original" type.
How does the EU define vodka?
1-spirit of agricultural origin 2-organolpetic characteristics are selectively reduced 3-flavorings may be added, including glycerin and sugar 4-minimum 75 proof
How does the US and EU definition of vodka differ?
In the US, vodka is a neutral spirit. In the EU, organopleptic characteritics of the raw material can be exhibited.
What does organoleptic mean?
Involving the use of the sense organs.
What kind of water do vodka producers use?
Ionized, softened, demineralized water.
How does US Standards of Identity define vodka?
Neutral spirit, without distinctive aroma, taste, or color
What is "original" vodka?
Non-flavored vodka.
What two companies were allowed to import to the US and Russia in exchange in the late 20th C?
Pepsi and Stolichnaya
What 2 countries are earliest associated with vodka production?
Poland and Russia
What is Zubrowka?
Polish bison grass vodka
What is Starka?
Polish spice oak aged vodka
How did detente influence vodka in the US?
Russian culture was in vogue.
What is Pertsovka?
Russian pepper vodka
What is Okhotnichya?
Russian vodka with ginger, tormentil, pepper, and fortified white wine
What base material is Polish vodka generally known for?
Rye and potato
What vodka cocktails were introduced to the American cocktail scene in the 1950s?
Screwdriver, Bloody Mary, Moscow Mule
What is the first vodka company to come to the US?
Smirnoff.
What style of vodka is common with rye vodka?
Spicy and robust
Why was Smirnoff the first vodka company to come to the US?
The Bolsheviks took over their distillery in 1917 in Russia.
What are of the characteristics of the ethyl myristate congener?
Waxy
What are of the characteristics of the ethyl palmitate congener?
Waxy
What base material is Russian vodka generally known for?
Wheat
What base material is Swedish vodka generally known for?
Winter wheat
What is earliest mention of vodka in Poland?
Wodka, mentioned in 1405 by Akta Grotski, in court documents of Platine of Sandomierz, Poland
What are of the characteristics of the ethyl laureate congener?
fruity and floral
How does Standards of Identity define neutral spirit (4)?
1- Distilled spirits 2-from any material 3-distilled at minimum 190 proof 4-bottled at minimum 80 proof
What are the 3 styles of vodka?
1-crisp and clean 2-medium bodies 3-creamy
What does the Standards of Identity require of flavored vodka (4)?
1-natural flavoring materials 2-with or without sugar addition 3-minimum 60 proof 4-predominant flavor must appear on label
How does the Standards of Identity define vodka?
1-neutral spirit 2-treated with charcoal 3-without character, aroma, taste or color
What are the 2 filtering processes in vodka production in the US?
1-spirit flows continuosly through tanks, 1.5 lbs of vegetal charcoal per gallon of spirit, minimum 8 hours 2-tank agitates 6 lbs of new charcoal per 100 gallons of spirit, minimum 8 hours
Vodka has been in production since which century?
12th C
When was vodka for commonly used as a beverage, as opposed to medicinally?
1500s
When was potato introduced as an ingredient for vodka?
18th century, in Poland
Vodka comes off the still originally at what proof?
190
When did the general population start drinking vodka in the US?
1950s
How many government approved filterering processes are approved?
2
When was vodka brought to the US?
20th
What proof must vodka be bottled at in the US?
80-100 proof
What style of vodka is common with barley vodka?
Acidic and light bodied
What style of vodka is common with wheat vodka?
Acidic and light bodied
What organization regulations vodka production in the US?
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau
How do congeners compare from vodka to other alcoholic beverages?
Almost all of the congeners are removed in vodka.
Where can vodka be produced?
Anywhere in the world.
What has historically led to selection of ingredients for vodka?
Availability and expense of ingredients.
What base material is Finland vodka generally known for?
Barley
What did the discovery of carbon do for vodka production?
Carbon could filter unwanted aromas.
What style of vodka is common with corn vodka?
Delicate
What organization regulations vodka production in the EU?
EU's Regulatory Council
What are 3 congeners of ethanol?
Ethyl laureate Ethyl myristate Ethyl palmitate
What style of vodka is common with potato vodka?
Full bodied and creamy
The majority of vodkas use which ingredient?
Grains
The early vodka used was ingredient?
Grains.
What is requirement if wine is added to flavored vodka in the US?
If more than 2.5% by volume, name and percentage of wine must appear on the label.
Why was vodka brought to the US?
The rise of communism.
Why do vodka producers use ionized, softened, demineralized water?
To reduce unwanted flavor and achieve a neutral spirit.
Whose standards for vodka are more strict, US or EU?
US
What organization in the US defines all alcoholic beverages?
US Standards of Identity
How does the US and EU vary regarding bottling proof in vodka?
US requires minimum 80 proof. EU requires minimum 75 proof.
How does the US and EU vary regarding additives in vodka?
US requires no additives. EU allows flavoring, like glycerin and sugar.
How does the US and EU vary regarding oranolpetic characteristics in vodka?
US requires no character, aroma, taste and color. EU allows characteristics of ingredients.
What is the Russian word and meaning from which 'vodka' derives?
Voda, meaning water of life
