This photo appeared in my news feed the other day and inspired me to write this article. Yes, this may be predominantly a wine blog, but the picture combines two recent experiences: Vodka and Dancing!
Aside from wine, my main passion in life is West Coast Swing Dancing. If you don't know what that is, then take a look at the clip below. I hope that at least one reader will give it a try as my new year's resolution is to get a non-dancer to take up partner dancing.
Aside from wine, my main passion in life is West Coast Swing Dancing. If you don't know what that is, then take a look at the clip below. I hope that at least one reader will give it a try as my new year's resolution is to get a non-dancer to take up partner dancing.
For a less comedy version of the dance, check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLzfg6r3xUw
While I've been taking time out from my corporate career to study and write about wine, I've taken full advantage of every chance to dance possible, and this has led me to travel to France, Warsaw and Budapest, and to make friends from as far afield as Massachusetts, Montpellier, Moscow, and Minsk. As a wine drinker, I've noticed that I'm in the minority at the international dance events and Vodka wins hands down every time. So I thought I'd share some of my recent experiences with you, just in case you fancy a change from the grape in favour of the grain...
While I've been taking time out from my corporate career to study and write about wine, I've taken full advantage of every chance to dance possible, and this has led me to travel to France, Warsaw and Budapest, and to make friends from as far afield as Massachusetts, Montpellier, Moscow, and Minsk. As a wine drinker, I've noticed that I'm in the minority at the international dance events and Vodka wins hands down every time. So I thought I'd share some of my recent experiences with you, just in case you fancy a change from the grape in favour of the grain...
The origin of the species "Purple Teeth: vodka drinker" was the Mad Dog. I have no idea who invented it, whether it's a recognised cocktail, or if the name is a direct translation from Polish. What I do know is that I love it! Sure, you're not going to drink these all night, but the first taste was just the right thing at the right time. Coming off the floor from a competition, stressed, sore throat and thirsty I was handed the Mad Dog. And suddenly the world was saved. A fruity and warming shot removed all worries about placements, points and judges. Regular readers will remember my chili obsession and this drink plays right into it. To make:
Na zdrowie!
- Take one shot glass: fill 1/3 with raspberry cordial/syrup (if not available, I'm sure Ribena would be an adequate substitute)
- Next top up with premium Polish vodka - an unflavoured variety. My providers use Zubrowka Biala, which sits nicely on top of the fruity element.
- Finally add several drops of good old Tabasco. This should sink down to the bottom.
Na zdrowie!
Photo courtesy of Piotr Lenart
Next on the hit list was Zubrowka, the Bison Grass vodka. I discovered it in Warsaw, where I was doing my best to avoid complete annihilation by sticking to (not very nice) wine. Everyone else was intent on going down in flames and this was the drink of choice. It's got a slightly green tinge and is now widely available in the UK. In Warsaw this was served as a shot, straight from the deep freeze where it had become an almost opaque colour and looked a bit like a slushy. Alternatively,it's served as a long drink with apple juice, which complements the cinammon flavours of the bison grass. This vodka is made from rye, using water from one of Poland's deepest wells, and the Bison Grass flavour is infused in a process similar to cold extraction for extra virgin olive oil. For the full details, you can visit their web site http://www.zubrowka.com, where hopefully the elevator music won't be too off putting. Or, you could just try drinking it. Bottles are under £20 in most supermarkets.
At my most recent event, in Budapest, I suffered a couple of incidents which left me screaming for a drink. I'm not proud of this, but when your knee smashes into the floor 5 minutes before a semi final, and a Finnish chap is dropped on your head by a Ukrainian, I feel there is some justification in reaching for the bottle. Good fortune is my friend, as is Mr Smile, who is never seen without a Polish lady on his arm, or a Polish bottle in his dance shoe bag. I tried two delights courtesy of him which I'd have had no chance of sampling otherwise. They're not what you'd call readily available, but they are worth seeking out, and there is always http://www.thepolishvodkacompany.co.uk where these and many more varieties can be purchased online.
It's fair to say that our memories are a little hazy at this point after 4 nights with almost no sleep, so there's a bit of debate on what these vodka gems really were. Best guesses, however, point to the first one being Wodka Zoladkowa Gorzka (Miodowka) which is a herb infused vodka with a little honey, giving it a caramel/toffee overtone. The colour is reminiscent of maple syrup and I'm fairly certain that's what I had, even though my companions tell me it was hazelnut flavoured Soplica: Orzech Laskowy.
Stories differ on the second also. Miss Poland advised me that I was drinking raspberry flavour, making it the Soplica Malinowa. Mr Smile, however is adamant that it was his favourite cherry version (wisniowa). In any case, it was fruity, sweet, red in colour, and soothing to the soul when drunk neat. Why not give them both a try? Soplica has been around for 120 years and is still adding new flavours to the portfolio, with Quince (pigwowa) being the latest addition.
It's fair to say that our memories are a little hazy at this point after 4 nights with almost no sleep, so there's a bit of debate on what these vodka gems really were. Best guesses, however, point to the first one being Wodka Zoladkowa Gorzka (Miodowka) which is a herb infused vodka with a little honey, giving it a caramel/toffee overtone. The colour is reminiscent of maple syrup and I'm fairly certain that's what I had, even though my companions tell me it was hazelnut flavoured Soplica: Orzech Laskowy.
Stories differ on the second also. Miss Poland advised me that I was drinking raspberry flavour, making it the Soplica Malinowa. Mr Smile, however is adamant that it was his favourite cherry version (wisniowa). In any case, it was fruity, sweet, red in colour, and soothing to the soul when drunk neat. Why not give them both a try? Soplica has been around for 120 years and is still adding new flavours to the portfolio, with Quince (pigwowa) being the latest addition.
We've been awake 24 hours, and dragging suitcases a mile or so to nearest bus stop - we could look better!
Leaving Budapest was a challenge, and not just because of the wonderful dancing we had there. The hotel was run by staff who'd clearly trained at Basil Fawlty's school of hospitality. At 8.30am Monday morning, leaving the dance floor (yes, we really had been up for 24 hours), they advised us that no taxis or other means of transport would come to the hotel and so for those of us with flights to catch the recommendation was to walk to the nearest... At this point, I was glad I had had a few tipples to take the edge off! It is reassuring to know it's not just UK plc that shuts down at the first flurry of snow... When we got to the bus stop, there was no bus, but by ignoring all of my mother's advice I accepted a lift from a group of strange men in a pick up truck!
Still, we hadn't had enough of dancing and by the time we got to Liszt Ferenc Airport, we ended up dancing in the check in hall till the police came to move us along. And this without the aid of any more alcohol...
Still, we hadn't had enough of dancing and by the time we got to Liszt Ferenc Airport, we ended up dancing in the check in hall till the police came to move us along. And this without the aid of any more alcohol...
On returning to Blighty I opened my long sealed spirits archive to find 3 flavours of Absolut vodka (Swedish): vanilla, citron and raspberri . Purely for the purposes of research and entirely for your benefit, dear readers, I sampled these. While certainly drinkable, they lacked the flavour integration and intensity required for drinking neat, which the Polish versions provided. So, I'll be reserving them for use in cocktails - the reason they were originally purchased. Skol!
Now, would it be wrong of me to add a trip to the Russian Open Championships just to continue my research?
Now, would it be wrong of me to add a trip to the Russian Open Championships just to continue my research?
When we eventually got to the airport, we just got over the snow trauma and 2 hour flight delays by going for a dance! Featuring dancers from UK, France, Switzerland, Russia and Israel, wouldn't the world be a better place if we all danced?
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