Moët Hennessy is debuting a new series of Belvedere single-estate rye vodkas, named after the villages in Poland where they are produced.
The Smogóry Forest and Lake Bartężek vodka are “crafted to capture the distinctive essence of their respective terroirs”, Belvedere said, as it aims to increase awareness among consumers that a vodka’s origin – much like that of wine – can affect its taste.
The distiller works with only seven farms in the production of rye for its vodkas. For the single-estate series, it has concentrated on the lakeside village of Bartężek in northeastern Poland and Smogóry, in an area known for its expansive forests in the west of Poland.
The two villages are around 350km apart – and, according to Belveder, “deliver demonstrably different taste profiles”.
Moët Hennessy head of spirits education Claire Smith-Warner said: “Terroir is not simply a notional concept, it really does shine through in our food and drink and enables us to experience the history and traditions of a place through our palate and senses.
The two new vodkas rely on their ‘terroir’.
“We hope this innovation will leave people with a better understanding of terroir and a fresh perspective on vodka and its potential to be much more than a neutral spirit. We’ve always championed that vodka has complex taste and character and this series is further evidence of the approach to vodka that defines Belvedere.”
Belvedere Vodka president Rodney Williams continued: “Our new single-estate vodkas represent a very special innovation. It is the next phase of our quest to show that there is refinement, discernment and extraordinary quality in vodka. It also reflects our commitment to exceed expectations, both in the use of bakers-grade Dankowskie diamond rye and our ability to draw out nuanced flavours.”
Analysis: striking terroir into consumers’ hearts
Terroir. It’s a word traditionally associated with wine. It’s the provenance of the grape made to use the wine, and the associated impact on flavour that would be unique to a certain wine-growing region. But in recent years, terroir has taken on a new life – amid growing consumer interest in where their food and drink comes from, consumers have witnessed terroir-heavy innovations like tea, coffee, spirits and even honey. Increasingly, brands are capitalising on their heritage and their authenticity of a product, and their ‘terroir’ – whether it’s a wine or not – is becoming ever-more central to this proposition.
Both vodkas are made using the Dankowskie diamond type of rye. Smogóry Forest is made at a small estate deep in western Poland. The lush, forested terroir is reflected by distinctive notes of salted caramel, a touch of honey and white pepper, and a salty-sweet finish.
The Lake Bartężek vodka is grown at a single farm in northern Poland’s Mazury lake district, a region renowned for its crystal-clear glacial lakes, weather shaped by Baltic winds and long, snowy winters. In fact, the rye in this region spends over 80 winter days buried in snow, conditions that add to its character and greatly impact the final vodka’s flavour profile.
The name Bartężek comes from Lake Bartężek, which runs along the estate’s eastern edge. It is this lakeside terroir that is reflected in the distinctive Belvedere vodka, with notes of black pepper, toasted nuts and cream. The vodka is described as “full, round and mellow”.
The series is packed in “unique new packaging” that is evocative of the distinctive vodka contained within. The new bottles have a unique square base that gradually transitions to a round top, while a shorter neck borrows cues from high-end dark spirits. Smogóry Forest is a smoky grey and Lake Bartężek’s bottle is a deep blue, with each becoming gradually more translucent the further down the bottle.
Both variants will debut in the UK and will be available in a select number of markets including the US, France and Australia in early 2018.
© FoodBev Media Ltd 2024