Demand for organic alcohol is growing all over the world. Abroad, alcoholic beverages of this category are in demand by socially responsible buyers who support initiatives to protect the environment. In recent years, organic-labeled alcohol has been rapidly gaining popularity in Russia. Organic vodka is in the lead with sales up 2021% in 36. Next, we will figure out which vodka brands are presented on the shelves of Russian stores, and how bio vodka differs from ordinary one.
What does “organic vodka” mean?
The basis of any vodka is a rectified product obtained by distillation of vegetable raw materials with a high content of sugar and starch. Most often these are cereals, potatoes and sugar beets.
Unlike ordinary alcohol, organic alcohol is distilled from raw materials grown without pesticides, synthetic fertilizers and growth regulators. In addition, the use of genetically modified products, artificial enzymes and silicone defoamers, which are commonly used in traditional production, is prohibited.
Growing environmentally friendly raw materials is a laborious process. In industrialized countries, the soil in agricultural lands partially or completely loses its fertility, and fertilizers make up for the lack of nutrients. In recent decades, land depletion has become a global problem, as plants grown in such fields contain few vitamins and microelements.
On organic farms, the technique of rotational farming is used. After harvesting, the fields are sown with crops that restore soil fertility: lupine, alfalfa or clover. If in traditional agriculture weeds are destroyed by herbicides, then on eco-farms they are disposed of by mulching, mechanical processing of crops or grazing. As a result, the final cost of bioraw materials is quite high.
Organic vodka is labeled organic only if all stages of production are certified. In the United States, one of the departments of the Ministry of Agriculture deals with inspections; in Russia, documents are issued by organizations accredited by Rosstandart. Experts check all stages of production – from soil quality to the final product. Factories working for export are additionally certified according to European or American regulations.
According to Russian legislation, enterprises that use at least 95% of organic raw materials grown in ecologically clean areas using only approved fertilizers in their production receive the right to label products with the organic mark. A QR code is placed on the label, with the help of which the consumer can obtain comprehensive information about the product and make sure that the certificate is available. The information is posted on the website of the Ministry of Agriculture.
Organic vodka brands
The eco-certificate gives companies additional opportunities to advertise and promote their products, and the cost of organic vodka is 20% higher than regular vodka. However, do not believe the claims that eco-alcohol brings less harm to health or does not cause a hangover.
Excessive consumption of even the purest vodka will backfire. On the other hand, producers contribute to the development of organic farming and support organic farms, which contributes to the protection of the environment.
Famous brands of Organic vodka:
- 360 vodka is six times distilled American premium vodka. McCormick Distilling was the first to release the Organic brand in 2008, but the brand is not represented in Russia;
- Purity is a vodka from Sweden that has received more than 150 awards at international competitions. The manufacturer achieves a soft and pleasant taste with the help of repeated distillation;
- Chistye Rosy is a Russian organic vodka made from wheat grown on a farm that has not used chemical fertilizers for 20 years. The brand has been certified according to the standards of Russia, Europe and the USA;
- Spelta is an eco-brand of the Saransk Distillery. The plant produces vodka from organic wild wheat – spelled.
How to choose organic vodka
The interest of Russian consumers in eco-brands is growing, as buyers are confident in the high quality of ingredients and production control. A number of vodka companies have reacted to the fashion trend by releasing alcohol with a label that is not confirmed by a certificate.
The label of organic vodka must contain an icon with a white sheet on a green background and the inscription “organic”, as well as a QR code to verify the certificate.
Since January 2020, the sale of pseudo-organic products in Russia has been banned, so Rospotrebnadzor regularly checks retail chains and fines manufacturers for counterfeit products.