Best vodkas

Origins and Myths of Vodka between Russia, Poland and the West

Vodka had its earliest origins in Eastern Europe, deriving from the ancient practice of extracting alcohol from beer or wine by freezing. This technique was later superseded by the more sophisticated distillation of fermented must from cereals or tubers. Although the first evidence dates back to 15th century Poland, the first distilleries were probably founded in Russia. The paternity of this drink is disputed between the two countries, both proudly claiming its invention.

One popular theory suggests that it was intrepid Italian merchants who introduced the practice of distillation to Russia, bringing it to the court of the Tsars. Over the centuries, distillates became increasingly popular, due in part to the harsh climate but also to the abundance of excellent cereals and potatoes.

Little is known about the early centuries of production, but it is known that it was a drink consumed mainly by peasants and farm workers. In Poland it was called 'gorzalka', while in Russia it was called 'polugar' or 'salomon'.

It was probably produced in ancient discontinuous stills from cereals such as barley, rye and wheat, or from potato skins. In general, it must have had a slightly sweet and rough taste. In Russia, vodka soon became the subject of tsarist policies, with production controls, taxation, price fixing and social problems related to alcoholism.

Russian vodka became known throughout Europe thanks to Napoleon, who tasted it during his disastrous campaign in Russia in 1812. However, it was not until the October Revolution of 1917 that dry vodka began to spread rapidly around the world, due to the emigration of Russian nobles and bourgeois distillery owners. Among them was Piotr Smirnov, whose surname was changed to Smirnoff after his exile to Paris, becoming a symbol of Russian vodka.

While in Eastern European countries vodka remained associated with working class and folk traditions, from the 1950s onwards it became a symbol of elegance and sophistication in the Western world. Inventive cocktails, made famous by spies in Cold War films, contributed to this transformation. Agent 007 James Bond is a prime example of this style.

Vodka's success continues to shine in the modern West, with production not only in Russia and Poland, but also in the United States, Scandinavian countries, Italy and especially France, home of Ciroc vodka and the famous Grey Goose. At xtraWine you will find a wide selection of Russian and Polish vodka brands, including Absolut Vodka, Christiania Vodka and Elit Stolichnaya Vodka.

Essence, Characteristics and Traditions of Vodka Consumption

The best vodka is a crystal-clear distillate with a clean taste and almost tasteless aromas. The purer, softer, colourless and tasteless it is, the more it is considered to be of high quality. The purity is achieved through modern, efficient column stills, with between two and nine distillations. The main raw materials are cereals rich in starch and sugar, such as barley, rye and wheat, or less commonly, potatoes.

The use of charcoal or other noble materials in the final filtration stage and dilution with pure water give the distillate a neutral, crisp and pure character. Traditionally, vodka is drunk neat and cold to best appreciate its flavours. In Russia, it is often served in a small goblet, accompanying foods such as caviar, boiled eggs, anchovies and smoked fish. In the West, vodka is usually drunk cold, in chilled glasses, or in famous cocktails and long drinks such as Black Russian, Moscow Mule, Bloody Mary, Long Island, Screwdriver and many others.

If you want to delve deeper and discover the fascinating world of vodka, explore the selection of the most prestigious bottles available on xtraWine. Discover the characteristics of vodka and buy your favourite bottles at the best online price at xtraWine. Looking for a bottle of vodka at an affordable price? xtraWine has the right solution for you, with a selected catalogue of bottles. From the famous Beluga Vodka to Smirnoff Vodka, from the iconic Belvedere Vodka to the renowned Grey Goose. Discover the characteristics and information through the data sheets edited by our sommeliers!