Main specifications of the technical file for ‘Russian Vodka’
Date: 2013-03-22
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Russia, consumer information, designation of origin, labelling, product designation, spirits








C_2013083EN.01001101.xml










22.3.2013   


EN


Official Journal of the European Union


C 83/11





MAIN SPECIFICATIONS OF THE TECHNICAL FILE FOR RUSSIAN VODKA
2013/C 83/08

INTRODUCTION

On 26 November 2010, the Association of Russian Vodka Producers (ARVP), established in the Russian Federation, applied for registration of ‘Russian Vodka’ as a geographical indication within Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the definition, description, presentation, labelling and the protection of geographical indications of spirit drinks and repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No 1576/89.
According to Article 17(5) of Regulation (EC) No 110/2008, the Commission shall verify, within 12 months of the date of submission of the application referred to in paragraph 1, whether that application complies with this Regulation.
This verification has been done and, in accordance with Article 17(6), Commission services have announced that the application complies with the Regulation at the 113rd meeting of the Committee for Spirit Drinks on 27 February 2013.
Therefore, the main specifications of the technical file shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union, C Series.
According to Article 17(7), within 6 months of the date of publication of the main specifications of the technical file, any natural or legal person that has a legitimate interest may object to the registration of the geographical indication in Annex III on the grounds that the conditions provided for in this Regulation are not fulfilled. The objection, which must be duly substantiated, shall be submitted to the Commission in one of the official languages of the European Union or accompanied by a translation into one of those languages.

MAIN SPECIFICATIONS OF THE TECHNICAL FILE FOR ‘RUSSIAN VODKA’

1.   Name:‘Russian Vodka’ (Русская водкa)
2.   Category of spirit drink: Vodka (category 15 of Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 110/2008)
3.   Description: Colourless spirit drink produced by the fermentation and distillation of wheat and rye
4.   Physical, chemical and organoleptic characteristics:

The main physical and chemical properties of ‘Russian Vodka’ are:






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Alcoholic strength by volume: minimum 37,5 %, maximum 56 %










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Methanol content: not more than 0,01 %










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Aldehyde content: not more than 8 mg/dm3











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Fusel oil content: not more than 8 mg/dm3











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Alkalinity, i.e. the volume of hydrochloric acid (HCL) at a concentration of 0,1 mol/dm3, used for titrating 100 cm3 of vodka: not more than 3 cm3











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Compound ester content: not more than 20 mg/dm3





Taste and flavour: mellow and pure taste with a subtle cereal/bread flavour
5.   Geographical area: Russian Federation
6.   Method of production:

The whole production process must be carried out on the territory of the Russian Federation and all raw materials for the production of ‘Russian Vodka’ have to be of Russian origin.
The grain (wheat and rye) is cleaned of dust and impurities, then crushed in hammer crushers, and carried to the mixing device. There it is mixed with water of a temperature of 50-55 °C. The mixture, called mash, is quickly heated by high-pressure steam, and then it is boiled softly.
Beforehand, a mixture of millet, oat and/or rye was germinated in a vessel and developed natural enzymes. No other enzymes are added. The latter mixture is added to the mash triggering the saccharification process.
Subsequently, the saccharified mash is cooled down to 26-28 °C, and yeast is added to trigger fermentation.
Afterwards, the brew is distilled and rectified.
The resulting ethyl alcohol and softened water are poured into a special vessel called the grading collector. Softening and purification of the water is achieved through ionisation and osmoses. This also ensures an optimum salt content.
The water-alcohol solution is mixed with the aim of reaching a determined alcoholic strength of the mixture.
The mixture undergoes numerous filtration processes. For preliminary purification, quartz sand with a particular grain-type structure and rough grain surfaces is used as filtering material.
Then the solution is passed into the charcoal battery, which is slowly filled from bottom to top. The birch charcoal used is made from specific parts of a particular birch variety (Betula pubescens), which is cultivated in Russia. As a result of the filtration process, the vodka acquires mildness and a light aroma of bread, which are typical of ‘Russian Vodka’.
At a third stage, the solution is passed through the quartz sand filter for final purification.
The solution is then delivered to the finishing vessel, where its alcoholic strength is adjusted to the required degree.
7.   Geographical link:

7.1.   History/Origin:

Vodka has deep roots in Russian history and became an integral part of folkloristic and cultural traditions of Russian people.
The first-ever printed mention of vodka in Russia dates back to 1474, and was made in connection with the installation of the relevant state monopoly, which suggests that vodka was already a mass commercial product in Russia.
The name ‘vodka’ itself evolved from the word ‘voda’ (water) and means ‘small water’.
In the XVIII century, the Russian Academy of Science developed a method for rectification of water-alcohol solutions, which led to considerable changes in the production of vodka. Subsequently, further research and development focused on the use of charcoal. In the period 1863-1895, Russian vodka production technology was further improved.
In the XX century, more advanced methods of activated charcoal filtration were used for the production of vodka in Russia.
In the past, in Russia, vodka was the main product among distilled alcoholic beverages, and remains so.
7.2.   Raw materials:

For the production of ‘Russian Vodka’ only wheat and rye obtained from spring and winter crops of Russian origin are allowed. The wheat and rye used are characterised by special proportions of carbohydrates, proteins (high carbohydrate contents, e.g. protein-starch ratios or Russian rye and wheat are 1:5.6 and 1:4, respectively) and amino acids, which are based on the types of cereals used, and the particular soil and climate conditions of Russia. The Russian wheat and rye used also possess specific ‘unidentified’ mixtures (volatile compounds) giving a special taste to the ethyl alcohol, which is typical for ‘Russian Vodka’.
Also, all auxiliary materials, i.e. the millet, oat and/or rye for the formation of enzymes used for the saccharification process, are of Russian origin.
For the production of ‘Russian Vodka’, specially treated drinking water is obtained from natural springs of Russia, mainly 100-200 m deep artesian wells, is used. In the Russian Federation, such water is characterised by a high content of ferrous ions and belongs to the group of calcium-magnesium bicarbonate waters.
Neither distilled nor boiled water is allowed.
7.3.   National production traditions:

The unique organoleptic features of the ‘Russian Vodka’ result from the following national production traditions:






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the method of ethyl alcohol production,










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the use of specially treated water with an optimum salt/mineral content,










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the special method of filtration of the water-alcohol solutions with use of birch charcoal and sand.




8.   Requirements of the national legislation:

Since 5 June 2003, the Appellation of Origin ‘Russian Vodka’ has been and is subject to legal protection in the Russian Federation. It has been included in the Russian Federation’s State Register for products with Appellations of Origin under No 0065.
Products bearing the Appellation of Origin ‘Russian Vodka’, which are intended for export to third countries, have to meet all legal requirements of the country of destination. This also means that ‘Russian Vodka’ exported to the European Union has to meet the legal requirements provided for in Article 15 of Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 110/2008.
9.   Applicant:








Name


:


Ассоциация производителей «Русской водки»




English translation


:


Association of Russian Vodka Producers (ARVP)




Address


:


Россия, 121170, г. Москва, Кутузовский проспект, дом 34, строение 21
Russia, 121170 Moscow, Kutuzovskiy prospect, building 34, block 21




10.   Supervisory authority:

The Federal Service for Alcohol Market Regulation is the main state institution in the area of the Russian Federation’s alcohol policy. This includes verification of compliance of all alcoholic beverages with the legislative requirements of the Russian Federation.
Whereas the ARVP will be assisting the Federal Service for Alcohol Market Regulation in ensuring that ‘Russian Vodka’ exported to third countries, where it has been registered as a geographical indication, meets the above specifications.