8 - Vodka Flashcards

1
Q

What can be used to make Vodka?

A

In theory, anything of agricultural origin

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2
Q

Why do vodka producers choose from a narrow range of raw materials?

A

Commercial pressures and consumer expectation

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3
Q

Where are grain-based vodkas most important? Why?

A

Eastern Europe
Grains are the most important crops here

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4
Q

What grains are most commonly used to make vodka in eastern europe?

A

Barley, wheat and rye

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5
Q

What is the role of enzymes in vodka production?

A

Enzymes created by malting barley can be used
Commercially prepared enzymes are more commonly used

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6
Q

Potatoes are a traditional raw material for making vodka in…

A

Poland

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7
Q

How many stages are required to convert potato starch to fermentable sugars? List them

A

Two
Cooking the potatoes in water
Adding enzymes to the starchy water

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8
Q

Why might a vodka producer use an alternative raw material?

A

As a point of difference
To reduce costs

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9
Q

Give a notable example of a material which creates a point of difference in vodka production

A

Grapes

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10
Q

Why must column stills be used to produce vodka?

A

It’s the only still capable of producing spirits with the necessary abv

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11
Q

What is the necessary abv to create vodka, prior to dilution?

A

95% or 96%

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12
Q

How may the initial distillate in vodka production be known?

A

Neutral spirit

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13
Q

Vodka distillation is typically a … process

A

Continuous

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14
Q

Are pot stills used to make vodka?

A

Sometimes

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15
Q

How might a pot still be used to create vodka? Who might use this process?

A

To create the low wines, followed by a column still distillation
Small producers who produce in batches

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16
Q

…is a widely traded commodity

A

Neutral spirit

17
Q

What is the potential flavour disadvantage of buying in a neutral spirit and diluting it?
How might this problem be overcome?

A

The resulting vodka may have a slightly rough texture
By running the mixture through a pot still

18
Q

If a producer re-distills a vodka through a pot still, what is the result on the vodka’s character? Describe the still that is used

A

It gives it a smoother, silkier texture
It’s a hybrid pot/column still

19
Q

Why is there a column still attached in a hybrid still?

A

To further purify the spirit

20
Q

Besides distillation, how else might a vodka producer improve the purity and texture of their spirit?

A

Passing through activated charcoal
Additives

21
Q

Describe what activated charcoal does toa vodka

A

It can remove any unwanted congeners and textures

22
Q

Describe the use of additives in improving vodkas

A

Bought in from specialist suppliers
Create the required texture
Sometimes lightly aromatise the vodka

23
Q

Most vodka is sold at …abv

24
Q

Why is the choice of water so important in vodka production?

A

It accounts for around 60% of the bottle usually

25
Name the three main styles of vodka
Neutral Characterful Flavoured
26
Describe how a neutral vodka should be. What is the best known example of this style?
Smooth, light and dry Smirnoff
27
Describe the characterful style of vodka
Slightly more flavour and more mouthfilling than the neutral style
28
If flavours in a vodka cannot be described as neutral...
They will in all probability, have been added after distillation
29
With which countries is vodka historically associated?
Russia, Poland, Finland, Sweden
30
In...there exists outstanding expressions of vodka
Almost every vodka producing country