Understanding Russia
Vodka
водка
When I think of Russia, I think of how influential they are and I look back on their history and relationship with the United States, and I recognize the strong impact they have on the world economically, scientifically and culturally. One of Russia’s most significant features that stands out in their culture besides their notorious wars and political conflicts, there is good ole fashion alcohol; specifically vodka. Водка is Slavic Russian for vodka. Vodka has been a part of their culture for centuries that date back to nearly the 12th century and some even say as early as the 8th. Interestingly, the origins of vodka are masked in mystery. Many debate between Russia and Poland when it concerns vodka’s origins and who played a major part in the movement of vodka. Some even believe that Persia is the birthplace of vodka and Sweden had a major contribution in the vodka movement. What cannot be denied are Russia’s close ties with the history of vodka.
In the 12th century in Russia, vodka meant ‘the water of life’. It initially was made with water, rye and ethanol. Originally, vodka was not that high in alcohol volume. Vodka production then went to change into high potato distillations and then was filtered through honey to eliminate the oil aromas. Today vodka is commonly distilled from rye, wheat, barely, and sometimes corn at very high proofs and filtered through charcoal. Like most alcohols, vodka was initially used as a medicine. Vodka was also originally referred to as spirits. Poland used vodka strictly for medicinal purposes in the early ages and called it ‘gorzalka’ in Polish. The world would begin to change because of the vodka movement.
Alcoholism in Russia dates back to nearly Ivan IV, when he developed many kabaks aka taverns in the cities that many men became in debt to a few decades later. It was around this time it was serving its purpose as an intoxicating beverage. It became the national drink of Poland and at one point Poland exported a lot of vodka to Russia. It later became the national drink in Russia around the 17th century and composed of approximately 40% of the government’s revenue. Studies also show that those in Western Europe do not suffer from the affects of alcoholism as much as those in eastern parts of Russia.
An important thing to note in the history of vodka in Russia is the prohibition that took place in Russia around WWI under Soviet Rule. It was 1914 when prohibition was imposed. The UK, France and Germany imposed less harsh rules and there was even a small prohibition in America as well, Russia completely ceased all retail sales of vodka and strictly limited it to restaurants. Prohibition went on to last for roughly 11 years through the Russian Revolution and Civil War and into the Soviet rule into roughly 1925. The notorious leader Joseph Stalin however, established a vodka state monopoly specifically to boost the economy. However, in the later Soviet, under Gorbachev in 1985 he campaigned to reduce the Russian alcohol consumption. It was referred to as “Dry Law”, in which prices were raised, sales were restricted in specific times of the day and if people were caught at their jobs intoxicated, they were persecuted.
Alcoholism has affected the health of Russia tremendously. Many car related deaths in the early 80’s were resulted from intoxicated drivers on the road. The life expectancy of men in Russia is significantly low in Russia especially in comparison to the women. The average Russian male lives to approximately 60 years old while women usually out live men by 13 years. Alcohol is definitely a factor in that given the amount and the strength of alcohol that is consumed throughout the year.
Clear vodka had become very popular in Poland after 1925. After WWII, the vodka distilleries in Poland were all taken over by Poland’s communist government. After the solidarity movement, all distilleries were privatized which resulted in leading a major development of vodka brands. Before 1950, vodka was mainly a European thing. By 1975, vodka had replaced the popular bourbon liquor in the United States. It grew in popularity because it lacked smell and had neutral flavors. Vodka also replaced many liquors in cocktails like gin and other familiar drinks that are in those like martinis and manhattans.
Critically acclaimed entertainer, media mogul and successful entrepreneur Sean “Diddy” Combs introduced the world to his branded vodka Ciroc in 2001. A successful Frenchman Jean-Sabastein Robiquet has developed the portfolio for the beverage. It is a French produced, American owned company and they exclusively use grapes instead of grain to distill their alcohol. This is apart of a big debate in the European Union, whether hard liquors can be branded as vodka. However, there is a standard; as of 2007, the standard minimum alcohol volume content for European alcohol in the European Union is 37.5%. 
The “vodka belt” wants liquors to say, “Vodka, produced from…” if it is not of the standard set by the EU. Brands like Ciroc will have to be rebranded if this does happen in the EU. Some people are concerned the issue will grow beyond the EU because Ciroc is the fastest growing US vodka producer and if expelled from the EU, there may be some retaliation in the WTO. Ciroc is not true a Russianmen’s vodka. French grapes and other fruits are used as opposed to standard Russian vodka’s distilled in potato and other grains.
When people think of Russian cocktails, they commonly think of white Russians, which are composed of vodka, kahlua and cream. However, a White Russian is not Russian in origin. One cocktail that is of Russian origin is the Moscow Mule Vodka Cocktail which consists of vodka, chilled ginger ale, a slice of lime along with squeezed lime juice, and a piece of cucumber peel.
Vodka is one of the world’s most famous alcoholic beverages. Given the power it has, I would say “Russian Soul” does exist in it. Vodka has affected its nation and the world and will remain stark in culture for many years to come. Russians should slow it down with their consumption a little given the negative affects its had on its people rather than considering the positive affects its had on the economy but keep the production coming.
-CP
Bibliography
Samborski, Sam. (n.d.). The History of Vodka. Retrieved May 5, 2011, from http://www.samborski.net/vodka_culture
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