Saturday 1 April 2023

THE DAY RUSSIA COMPLETELY RAN OUT OF VODKA!

Vodka is synonymous with Russia like Alfred Hitchcock with thriller movies. Vodka is more of a symbol of Russia to rival its own brown bears, caviars and Matryoshka! Sure, Vodka is native of Russia with the highest consumption rate among the people for the last many centuries-currently with 17 shots per person per month! Poland and Ukraine are close enough to them in this matter. So also the whole of Vodka belt containing Eastern Europe and Nordic countries.

The word Vodka comes from the translation of water in Russian "Voda".Experts suggest that its use became so common among the people in Russia because it is a quick remedy for the cold they have to face! And vodka is everywhere in Russia, in politics, folk songs, movies, literature, jokes which has become inseparable with social life of people. 

Having narrated about the importance of Vodka in the life of Russia and Russians, there was a time when they ran out of Vodka for a day and had to face disrupted supply for many following days! That was on May 9, 1945, the day Germany had surrendered to the Allied Forces as officially announced by Russia on the radio!! The news broke out on that day by 1.10 am but the Soviet citizens went outside in the middle of the night in their pajamas, embraced each other and wept with joy. Before Stalin could officially announce about the German surrender, the country had run out of Vodka!!

Russia has not changed..
In 2017, much later after Soviet Union had disintegrated to so many countries including Russia, Geetha and I ,were in Moscow along with few other Indians on a tour. As we visited a good restaurant for a buffet dinner, there was a free offer from the owner that either a can of beer or a shot of locally brewed Vodka is free. As expected hardly few fellow Indians had it but those who had ,went for international brands of beer. But I went for the Vodka since I thought it was a good chance to taste the local brew of Moscow. Sure , as practiced I wanted soda or water to dilute it but the bartender asked me to take it as it is in sips.It was a good decision and I ordered for the second shot. Geetha joked that it was a clever ploy of the owner to extract money. But when we wanted to settle the bill I was not charged for the Vodka in spite I had asked to bill the extra shot! The waiter smilingly told me that it was on the house! Their love for Vodka has not changed a bit whether the Govt has become capitalist or communist or dictatorship!!

Origin of Vodka...
Poles claim that they had been making Vodka from 8th century distilling grain and potato spirits. However Russia started it much later in the 14th century. It is believed that an orthodox monk named Isidore of Greek origin had pioneered it in 1430, distilling from Chudov monastery in Moscow distilling products of wheat and hence known as 'bread wine'.

                                                                      Chudov Monastery

In 1472 the Tsar Ivan II institutionalized the first state autonomy of Vodka in the country. All in Russia had to purchase the state produced Vodka except the nobles of the society who were permitted to brew. Thus home brewed Vodka offered infused with herbs, berries and fruits. Peter the Great invented the 'penalty shot'- a shot of Vodka - but in goblet of 1.5 litres- to be gulped by those who came late to his parties!!  The first prohibition was also imposed during the Tsarist reign. Tsar Nicholas did that in 1914.I don't know whether it had any impact with Bolshevik revolution which followed soon!!



When the communist revolution came in 1917 it did not curb the people's interest in Vodka either, since it was a good way of collection of revenue. In fact the production, distribution and sales of Vodka were more professionalized. During the second world war, the Soviet soldiers were supplied with 100 grams of Vodka each day!!

Smirnoff Vodka is not a Russian brand!

Smirnoff who fled Russia during the revolution period established his brand of Vodka made in USA and Canada and many other western countries. Made from grains of wheat, corn and potatoes this brand is the largest selling brand in the world among 130 countries where Vodka is used! Second most sold brand of Vodka is Absolut, a Swedish product!Than the quality of these products, western techniques of advertisements and sales might have helped establish these brands  in the world in popularity, I presume.

                                      ____________________


 












7 comments:

  1. P P Kailasanathan1 April 2023 at 11:14

    Though everyone knows about Russian vodka, the story and importance of it to the Russians and the rest of the world is highlighted very well.Russians love for vodka and it's abundant supply kept them happy during their difficult times including the the one after peristroika.Good reading.

    ReplyDelete
  2. The history of Vodka is new to me and, very interesting to read.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Interesting write ups, recollection of my memories of having Russian Vodka ☺️

    ReplyDelete
  4. BR MENON Very interesting article

    Being an old Soviet Naval fellow ,who has even travelled the 10 days Trans Siberian Rly way trip from Moscow to Vladivostok in 1970 on my return from Greenwich ( London) after my 2 year Advanced Warship design course, to India -- I had the fortune( mis fortune?? !!) to taste Vodkas made out of every conceivable items.

    Some of them are exquisite.!!

    .
    Rest when we meet Jaison.

    ReplyDelete
  5. AVM NAIR:Though apparently I felt that topic this time is simple, your analysis of the subject falsified my thinking. U have enthused me to know the history of Vodka, a new information for me. It is fascinating you have highlighted the importance of Vodka and the priority it assumed in Russia on various stages. It is made known, Vodka's abundant supply transformed the Russian people to a state of exhilaration during their difficult times. Interestingly brought out the history and origin of Vodka, its fall and rise in demand relating to the political conditions. You and your Mrs are really fortunate to be in Russia to experience the enjoyment of Vodka then. It is a valuable information that Vodka is a quick remedy for cold. Also obtained information about smirnoff Vodka.
    You have lucidly and intelligently narrated the impotance of Vodka and its aspects capturing the attention of your readers.
    Congratulations.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Though apparently I felt that topic this time is simple, your analysis of the subject falsified my thinking. U have enthused me to know the history of Vodka, a new information for me. It is fascinating you have highlighted the importance of Vodka and the priority it assumed in Russia on various stages. It is made known, Vodka's abundant supply transformed the Russian people to a state of exhilaration during their difficult times. Interestingly brought out the history and origin of Vodka, its fall and rise in demand relating to the political conditions. You and your Mrs are really fortunate to be in Russia to experience the enjoyment of Vodka then. It is a valuable information that Vodka is a quick remedy for cold. Also obtained information about smirnoff Vodka.
    You have lucidly and intelligently narrated the impotance of Vodka and its aspects capturing the attention of your readers.
    Congratulations.

    ReplyDelete

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