The Gzhelka brand was invented by the same marketer who came up with the idea of creating Putinka vodka – Stanislav Kaufman. In the 90s, he worked at the Moscow State Enterprise Kristall, and the creation of a drink designed in the style of Gzhel, a Russian folk craft associated with painting ceramics, turned out to be successful and profitable. Drawings with blue paints on white porcelain are known all over the world, so Gzhelka vodka quickly became popular – at the beginning of the XNUMXst century, the brand was one of the five leaders of the Russian alcohol market.
Now the brand is being revived – an elegant tall and narrow bottle with a white and blue painted label has reappeared on the shelves of Russian stores.
About the manufacturer
The Gzhelka brand was registered in 1993 by the Moscow Kristall plant, then it was still a state-owned enterprise. But soon the status of the enterprise changed – a joint-stock company of the same name was created, and the successful businessman Sergey Zevenko bought the trademark. 5 gave a year – this was the volume of Gzhelka from 000 to 000.
In 2003, another contender claimed the rights to the trademark – Alexander Sabadash, the owner of the St. Petersburg distillery. Many years of litigation for the right to own the brand had a negative impact on the development of the brand. In 2016, the once-popular drink sold just 20 decalitres.
Vodka is bottled at different enterprises, and now the sole owner of the brand, Sergey Zinenko, created a new enterprise in 2016 – Gzhelka LLC, which is part of the Spiritnoy group of companies. The owner expects to return the popularity of the drink and sales within two years. He is also supported by Stanislav Kaufman, who once created Gzhelka, who believes that a return to the market and further promotion are quite possible if a clear strategy is created.
The Spirtnoy group of companies, now led by Sergey Zinenko, was founded in 2015 and is owned by Maarschall Group B from the Netherlands. In the case of GC “Spirtnoy”: 3 cognac brands – “Shturman”, Old Barrel, Monte Choco, sparkling wine Sensimi and vodka “Real”.
Types of vodka Gzhelka
Gzhelka (40%). A transparent drink with a delicate vodka aroma and a mild taste with a hint of wheat. Due to its neutral taste and olfactory characteristics, vodka is often used for alcoholic cocktails. It is served at the table chilled to 6-8 °C. According to connoisseurs, the drink emphasizes the taste of meat and vegetable dishes. It goes well with pickles, caviar, pickled mushrooms, spicy snacks. Bartenders recommend it as an aperitif – with ice cubes or crushed ice and mint leaves around the edge of the glass.
Gzhelka Cedar (40%). Vodka with a pleasant light aroma, in which coniferous-nut tones are heard. Mild taste with bready notes. Serve chilled to 5-8 °C. Restaurateurs and connoisseurs advise for spicy and spicy appetizers, hot dishes of Russian cuisine, meat cooked on an open fire “with smoke”, game and homemade pickles. Ideal for spicy and fatty dishes, which are rich in Russian and Caucasian cuisine.
Gzhelka Soft (40%). An absolutely transparent drink, in which vodka is combined with an infusion of oatmeal, thanks to which it has a velvety taste and a pleasant enveloping aftertaste. The aroma is subtle, with subtle notes of wheat. Vodka is served chilled to 6–10 °C with Russian and European cuisine. It goes well with pancakes, poultry, game, veal. Perfectly emphasizes the taste of spicy and spicy snacks, combined with homemade pickles and salted fish.
