When did vodka appear in Rus'? When did vodka appear in Rus'? History of the national drink

January 31 marks the 154th anniversary of vodka. On this day in 1865, Dmitry Mendeleev defended his doctoral dissertation on the topic “On the combination of alcohol with water.”

Vodka is a strong alcoholic drink, a mixture of rectified (edible) ethyl alcohol with water. To prepare vodka, a mixture of alcohol and water (sorting) is passed through activated carbon, then filtered.

By adding infusions of herbs, seeds, roots and spices to vodka, various tinctures are prepared.

Other types of vodka are obtained by distilling fermented sweet liquids.

Types of vodka

Ordinary vodka in Russia is a 40% solution of alcohol purified from fusel oil in water. Purification is carried out using the hot method at rectification plants or cold at vodka plants. The alcohol here is diluted with water (to a strength of 40-45%) and filtered through a series of vats filled with charcoal (preferably birch), which absorbs fusel oil (traces remain). The best vodka is made from rectified alcohol.

Special vodka is prepared by dissolving various essential oils and aromatic substances in ordinary vodka or alcohol.

To obtain fruit vodka, ripe berries are crushed, the juice is squeezed out, sweetened and forced to ferment (by adding yeast). The fermented wort is distilled.

The history of vodka

The prototype of vodka was made in the 11th century by the Persian physician Ar-Razi, who was the first to isolate ethanol (ethyl alcohol) by distillation. The Koran prohibits Muslims from consuming any alcoholic beverages, so the Arabs used this liquid (vodka) exclusively for medicinal purposes, as well as for making perfumes.

In Europe, the first distillation of an alcohol-containing liquid was made by the Italian alchemist monk Valentius. Alchemists in Provence (France) adapted the alembic invented by the Arabs to convert grape must into alcohol.

Vodka appeared in Russia at the end of the 14th century. In 1386, the Genoese embassy brought the first vodka (aqua vitae - “living water”) to Moscow and presented it to Prince Dmitry Donskoy. In Europe, all modern strong drinks were born from “aqua vita”: brandy, cognac, whiskey, schnapps and Russian vodka. The volatile liquid obtained as a result of the distillation of fermented wort was perceived as a concentrate, the “spirit” of wine (in Latin, spiritus vini), which is where the modern name of this substance comes from in many languages, including in Russian - “spirit”.

In 1429, “aqua vita” was again brought to Moscow by foreigners, this time as a universal medicine. At the court of Prince Vasily II Vasilyevich, the liquid was apparently appreciated, but due to its strength they preferred to dilute it with water. It is likely that the idea of ​​​​diluting alcohol, which in essence was “Aqua Vita,” served as an impetus for the production of Russian vodka, but, of course, from grain.

The method of producing vodka allegedly became known in Russia in the second half of the 15th century and was probably due to the emergence of grain surpluses that required quick processing.

Already at the beginning of the 16th century, “burning wine” was taken not to Russia, but from it. This was the first experience of Russian vodka export, which was later destined to conquer the world.

The word “vodka” itself appeared in Russia in the 17th-18th centuries and, most likely, is a derivative of “water”. At the same time, in earlier times, the terms wine, tavern (this was the name for vodka produced illegally under the conditions of the state monopoly introduced in the 18th century), tavern wine, smoked wine, burning wine, burnt wine, bitter wine, etc. were also used to designate vodka.

With the development and improvement of vodka production in Russia, remarkable results have been achieved in terms of purification and taste characteristics of the drink.

In the era of Peter the Great, the dynasties of Russian “vodka kings” and breeders began. In 1716, the first All-Russian Emperor offered the noble and merchant classes the exclusive right to engage in distilling on their lands.

In the middle of the 18th century, the production of vodka in Russia, along with state-owned factories, was carried out by noble landowners and owners of estates scattered throughout the country. Empress Catherine II, who patronized the noble class and granted it many different benefits, made distilling the exclusive privilege of the nobles. A significant part of vodka was produced on landowners' estates, and the quality of the drink was raised to immeasurable heights. Manufacturers sought to achieve a high degree of purification of vodka; for this they used natural animal proteins - milk and egg white. In the 18th century, Russian “homemade” vodkas, produced on the farms of Prince Kurakin, Count Sheremetev, Count Rumyantsev, and others, enjoyed an excellent reputation.

At the end of the 19th century, for the first time in Russian history, a state standard for vodka was introduced. This was greatly facilitated by the research of famous chemists Nikolai Zelinsky and Dmitry Mendeleev, members of the commission for the introduction of a vodka monopoly. The merit of the latter is that he developed the composition of vodka, which should have a strength of 40°. The "Mendeleev" version of vodka was patented in Russia in 1894 as "Moscow Special" (later - "Special").

In Russian history, a state (tsarist) monopoly on the production and sale of vodka was repeatedly introduced. For example, in 1533, the first “tsar’s tavern” was opened in Moscow, and all trade in vodka became the prerogative of the tsarist administration; in 1819, Alexander I re-introduced a state monopoly, which lasted until 1828; since 1894, a state monopoly began to be periodically introduced in Russia, strictly observed in 1906-1913.

The state monopoly on vodka existed throughout the entire period of Soviet power (formally - since 1923), while the technology for producing the drink was improved, and its quality was at a consistently high level. In 1992, by decree of Russian President Boris Yeltsin, the monopoly was abolished, which entailed a number of negative consequences (financial, medical, moral and others). Already in 1993, a new decree was signed that restored the monopoly, but the state was unable to strictly control its implementation.

The history of prohibition measures against vodka is noteworthy. Thus, during the Russian-Japanese War, there was a ban on the sale of vodka in some provinces of the empire. “Prohibition” was introduced in Russia at the very beginning of the First World War, continuing to operate even after the establishment of Soviet power (only in 1923 the sale of liqueurs with a strength of no more than 20° was allowed, in 1924 the permissible strength was increased to 30°, in 1928 the restrictions were lifted , in 1986, under Mikhail Gorbachev, an unprecedented campaign was launched to combat drunkenness, in fact, alcohol consumption, which was not successful and resulted in the massive destruction of vineyards, the production of low-quality “underground” alcohol products, the growth of drug addiction, etc.) .

As an element of everyday culture, vodka has taken a specific place in the history of Russian life, marked by such verbal symbols - “signs” as “mentikov kryvennik”, “katenka”, “kerenki”, “monopolka”, “rykovka”, “andropovka”, “smirnovka” " (after the name of one of the largest domestic producers of vodka), etc., and also became an invariable hard payment unit ("bottle of vodka"), especially in rural areas. Vodka is often perceived as a national symbol of Russia, on a par with the samovar, balalaika, matryoshka, and caviar. Remaining until the end of the 20th century one of the most widespread Russian national drinks, vodka was the basis for a huge number of tinctures, the preparation of which became a special branch of home production in Russia.

On January 1, 2010, in order to combat illegal alcohol trafficking in the country, Russia introduced a minimum price of 89 rubles for a 0.5-liter bottle of vodka. The corresponding order was signed by the Federal Service for Regulation of the Alcohol Market (Rosalkogolregulirovanie). If the bottle is of a different size, the minimum price will be calculated in proportion to the capacity.

Thus, now the consumer will be able to make an informed choice between a legal and an illegal manufacturer. According to experts, taking into account the excise tax on alcohol planned for 2010, the cost of the bottle, VAT and minimum markups in retail and wholesale, the price of a bottle of vodka really does not exceed 89 rubles.

The material was prepared based on information from RIA Novosti and open sources

Vodka has long been considered the national alcoholic drink in Russia. It is not known exactly who and when invented this drink. There are numerous versions of the origin of vodka, the main ones are presented in this article.

History of vodka

It is believed that the Arab doctor Pares invented vodka in 860 and used his invention only for medicinal purposes for rubbing and warming. After all, according to the Koran, drinking alcoholic beverages is prohibited. In addition to medicine, they began to use alcohol to make perfumes and eau de toilette. Although this data on the issue is not scientifically proven. It follows from this that the Arabs could not have invented vodka, especially since they do not drink alcohol at all.

In Europe, people first started talking about vodka after the distillation of a liquid containing sugar was first carried out by the Italian alchemist Valentius. Subsequently, all known strong alcoholic drinks, such as whiskey, brandy, cognac, and schnapps, were born.

Who invented vodka in Russia?

Some versions about the appearance of vodka in Russia

Historical documents indicate that from the period 1386-98, merchants of Genoa brought grape alcohol to Russia. It was used only as a medicine. At the beginning of the 15th century, alcohol was recognized as harmful, and its import into the Moscow principality was prohibited. It was at this time that Russian distillation began to emerge, that is, perhaps the history of vodka dates back to the distillation of grain alcohol from rye raw materials. Perhaps it was bread wine that later became vodka. Around the same time, opposition arose between vodka and other intoxicating drinks, such as beer and drinking meads, which were approved by the Church. It was believed that drinking vodka would prevent various infectious diseases, since grain alcohol has disinfectant properties.

In Rus', vodka was any liquid that had a high percentage of strength. They did not like the Arabic name “alcohol”; alcoholic drinks were called wine, despite the fact that they have no connection with grapes. It was also the name given to the drink that could intoxicate a person.

Although these facts do not say exactly who invented vodka, many will be interested in this information. Many stories that have survived to this day are associated with the Russian drink polugar. This is bread wine that has been distilled to a strength of 38.5 degrees. If the result was a weak drink, it was strengthened and called under-drinking. This is where the name comes from - strong breath odor - fumes.

What does Mendeleev have to do with the invention of vodka?

The famous scientist had nothing to do with the invention of vodka, because vodka appeared even before he was born. Therefore, the version that Mendeleev invented vodka is erroneous.

In 1865, D.I. Mendeleev wrote and defended his doctoral dissertation on the topic “Compounds of alcohol and water” on the theory of solutions of alcohol and water. Some suggest that in his writings the chemist suggested an alcohol content of 40 degrees in vodka - as the ideal amount from the point of view of drinking. Then it turns out that Mendeleev invented 40-proof vodka, but this is not at all true.

According to existing information available to the Vodka Museum in St. Petersburg, the famous scientist believed that the ideal strength of vodka is 38 degrees. Only then was the value rounded to 40 degrees to facilitate the calculation of income tax. Mendeleev was not at all interested in vodka, he was only interested in alcohol compositions, so he has nothing to do with the question of who invented vodka. The scientist took some data for his dissertation from the earlier works of the Englishman J. Gilpin. As you know, people drank vodka even before scientific research, but the alcohol content in it was not regulated, especially at the state level.

The appearance of vodka in Russia

Since 1533, a state monopoly on the production of vodka and sale in “sovereign taverns” was introduced in Russia. The term “vodka” itself was officially established in 1751 by Elizabeth II. At the turn of the 18th century, a chemist from St. Petersburg, Lovitz, proposed using charcoal to purify fusel oils found in vodka. In Tsarist Russia it was sold only in specialized wine shops. At one time, only 2 types of vodka were sold there: “Krasnogolovka” and “Belogolovka”, with white and red caps, respectively. The first vodka, the price of which was 40 kopecks, was sold in 0.61 liter bottles. And “Belogolovka”, double purified, cost 60 kopecks. Bottles with a capacity of ¼ bucket, that is, 3 liters, were also sold in special wicker baskets. The smallest bottle of vodka was 0.061 liters and cost only 6 kopecks.

A little later, the name “Moscow Vodka” arose and firmly stuck. A patent for it was received in 1894. The vodka contained 40 parts by weight of ethyl alcohol, and it had to be purified using a carbon filter. A little later, officially registered vodka producers appeared, it is clear that they have practically nothing to do with who invented vodka, they simply produced it. This company was called “Petr Smirnov”, it produced “Smirnovskaya” vodka.

The emergence of modern vodka

In the 19th century, mass production of ethyl alcohol began, which was necessary for the chemical and perfume industries and, of course, official medicine. A special apparatus was created that produced alcohol on a large scale with a high degree of purification from essential and fusel oils; its strength was 96 degrees.

The state monopoly on the production of vodka was returned and extended throughout the country. There are a great many types of modern vodka, and now few people ask the question of who invented vodka in Russia. The answer to this question will remain open. In 1936, the Soviet government issued a special GOST, according to which the alcohol solution was called vodka, and what was produced before the revolution was called vodka products. Around the 50s, the term “vodka” became international.

Unusual types of vodka

The world's only black vodka is produced in the UK. It differs from the usual one only in color. The strongest vodka belongs to Scottish producers; its strength is 88.8 degrees. This vodka, which costs about $140 a bottle, is especially popular in China, where the number 8 is considered lucky.

The most expensive vodka is produced in Scotland. The produced drink goes through a complex filtration system of Karelian birch charcoal and diamond chips. The price of a bottle depends on the size and quality of the stones, ranging from $5 to $100,000.

Historians have never been able to reliably establish who invented vodka. Most likely, it appeared in a small village and, over time, spread throughout the world. The creator of this alcoholic drink was not a famous person at all and therefore left no traces in history. But, despite everything, vodka is considered the national Russian drink.

The first Russian monopoly on alcohol was established back in 1474 by Ivan III. Strict state control over the production and sale of alcohol was introduced.

Under Ivan the Terrible, taverns, where vodka was usually served, were replaced by “tsar’s taverns,” which were farmed out to the treasury. By paying a certain amount of money, the tax farmer received the right to sell alcoholic beverages.

In 1648, under Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, “tavern” riots swept across Moscow and other cities. The artisans, supported by the peasants, demanded the abolition of the “farm-out” for the tavern business and distilling. But the unrest was suppressed. In 1652, the tsar convened the Zemsky Sobor, which reformed the “drinking business.” From now on, feudal lords were forbidden to keep taverns on their estates and estates, as well as to conduct wine trade, which had previously been widely practiced.

Another state monopoly was introduced in 1696 by Peter I. To increase profits, a tax farming system was again established, which was combined with the government sale of wine. The term “vodka” itself was officially established in Russia in 1751 by Empress Elizaveta Petrovna.

At the beginning of the 19th century, the treasury began to lose control of the alcohol business, and income fell. In 1817, a decree was issued reintroducing the “state sale of drinks” at a single price - 7 rubles per bucket.

At first, this gave results and money flowed into the treasury. But gradually wine sales began to decline. As it turned out, there were many abuses in the drinking departments. In this regard, Nicholas I abolished the state wine monopoly in January 1828 and once again introduced a tax farming system. However, the arbitrariness of tax farmers, as well as widespread drunkenness, led to the fact that in 1863 the authorities were forced to replace taxation with an excise tax.

On May 14, 1885, the law “On the fragmented sale of drinks” was passed, abolishing taverns and replacing them with wine shops selling take-away alcohol in glass bottles. But sales began to fall again, and in 1893, Minister of Finance S.Yu. Witte submitted to the State Council a proposal to return the monopoly on wine. It covered the purification of alcohol, as well as the trade in spirits.

Probably everyone knows what vodka is, but the history of its appearance on the territory of Eastern Europe and the subsequent evolution to the form in which it is known now is more reminiscent of a collection of myths and legends than reliable historical facts.

There are many versions about who and when invented vodka, one of the most common is that it is supposedly the work of D.I. Mendeleev, but this is not so, and there are many significant historical facts to refute this theory, but about that more details below.

Prototype and first mention

Before starting the story about where and when vodka appeared in Rus', it must be said that the word itself is derived from the word water according to the same principle as the now rarely used forms of the words mom and dad - mom and dad. Thus, the name itself is not originally associated with alcohol based on grains or potatoes, but is associated specifically with water.

But if we consider the historically established product obtained by distilling mash based on similar raw materials, then the ancestor of vodka in the territories of Eastern Europe can be considered “bread wine”, also known as “bread alcohol”, in our time a very close drink to it is “bread vodka” .

This alcoholic drink appeared approximately between the second half of the 14th and the first half of the 15th centuries; until that moment, alcohol based on grains or their products through distillation was not produced in the territory of present-day Russia or neighboring states, which then formed a single state.

A possible reason for the creation of “bread wine” was the visit of the Genoese embassy in 1386. Together with them, the Italians brought a very high-quality strong alcoholic drink called “Aqua Vitae”, which literally translates as “water of life”.

In terms of organoleptic properties, it was significantly superior to any of the then available alcoholic drinks such as mead or, which was associated with its production through full-fledged distillation, which had been discovered at that time in Italy.

If we talk about when vodka first appeared on earth as a water-alcohol solution obtained by distillation, then the Arabs already in the 7th-8th centuries produced such a product, but for medicinal purposes, and not for everyday use, which is prohibited by the Koran.

Origin

There are several versions, each of which has its own arguments and facts in support; the main ones can be considered the versions of Pokhlebkin and Pidzhakov.

Pokhlebkin's version

According to his calculations, based largely on indirect indicators, professional distillation and vodka production appeared between the 1440s and 1470s, with the latest date, according to him, being 1478. The main evidence of the beginning of mass production of alcohol, namely mass production, according to Pokhlebkin, should be a criterion for the emergence of the industry, can be considered the introduction of specific taxation and the beginning of a state monopoly on this type of alcohol both within the state and in foreign trade. Thus, in 1474, a ban was introduced on the import and trade of “grain alcohol” for German traders, which is reflected in the Pskov Chronicles.

Pidzhakov's version

In his opinion, Pokhlebkin’s assessments are too optimistic and there is no direct confirmation for them in the chronicles. Thus, Pidzhakov comes to the conclusion that in the 15th century there was no distillation either on the territory of the Muscovite kingdom or on the territory of the neighboring Principality of Lithuania.

At the same time, he interprets the occurrence of the word “digest” as referring to beer, and only the only mention of “created wine” in one of the minor historical documents can be regarded as a mention of vodka, that is, there was no mass distillation, perhaps there was an experimental single production.

The first reliable source indicating that the alcoholic drink was produced in large volumes, in his opinion, is the “Treatise on the Two Sarmatias” by Matvey Mikhovsky from 1517. It says that the inhabitants of Muscovy “make a burning liquid or alcohol from oats ... and drink it to save themselves ... from the cold.” A later mention from 1525 indicates that “in Muscovy ... they drink beer and vodka, as we see among the Germans and Poles.”

The emergence of the 40-degree standard

In the period before the appearance of alcohol meters in the Russian Empire, the strength of “grain alcohol” was measured through the annealing procedure. If half of the liquid burned out when the liquid was set on fire, then such a drink was called “half-burnt.” Her fortress corresponded to 38% and was a production standard, it was from here, and not from any research, that the “legendary” norm of an aqueous-alcohol solution appeared.

In 1817, "half-gar" strength of the drink became recommended, and in 1843, when the corresponding law was passed, it became the official standard, but with a slight change, it was rounded up to 40%. Firstly, during production it is much easier to mix weight fractions of 4 to 6, rather than 38 to 62, and given that serious punishment was imposed for violating the standards, then it was even safer for manufacturers.

And secondly, the excise tax was taken from each degree, and it is much more convenient to calculate round numbers, which is what the Treasury advocated. In addition, the 2% reserve was a guarantee that in case of shrinkage, leakage or slight dilution, the consumer would still receive a drink with a “semi-garden” strength.

This is how the historical approval of the strength of the water-alcohol solution, then called “table wine”, took place at the level of 40%, which was formalized in the “Charter on Drinking Fees”, which was approved on December 6, 1886. At the same time, the standard fixed only the lower limit, leaving the upper limit of the strength of the drink at the discretion of the manufacturer.

The emergence of modern recipes and production technology

With the beginning of the technical revolution in the second half of the 19th century, the need and opportunity arose to produce alcohol in large quantities. First of all, it was needed by the chemical industry, perfumery and medicine. For this purpose, rectification columns were invented, which not only gave more, but also better, the resulting alcohol had 96% and a high degree of purification. In the Russian Empire, such equipment appeared in the 1860s, while most of the rectification was exported.

At the same time, the distilling industry began producing “table wine,” which was a solution of rectified wine in water and, in fact, was the prototype of a modern strong drink. If you ask yourself who invented vodka from the point of view of its modern composition, then it was a technical committee led by M. G. Kucherov and V. V. Verigo, who developed both the recipe and production technology, which remains a standard to this day, and then the drink received the name “state wine”.

In 1914, the war began, and with it the “prohibition”, which lasted after the communists came to power until 1924. In 1936, already in the USSR, a standard for a water-alcohol solution was approved, which was essentially identical to the work of Kucherov and Verigo, and the drink finally received the name vodka, and what was called “vodka” in tsarist times was renamed “vodka products.”

Vodka and Mendeleev: truth and myths

In whatever form there are myths circulating that Mendeleev invented 40-proof vodka, for example, the famous brand “” placed on the label an inscription stating that the drink’s recipe complies with the standard of 1894, in which Dmitry Ivanovich was allegedly the head of the royal commission that developed and approved this standard. The “factual” basis for such stories is the work of the great scientist, entitled “On the combination of alcohol with water.”

In connection with this, he is considered the father of Russian vodka, although back in 1843 a 40-degree standard was established in the Russian Empire, when Mendeleev was only nine years old. His dissertation contains information mainly about aqueous solutions of alcohol at 70 degrees or more, more importantly, there are no experiments at all on the effects of alcohol on the body, its organoleptic properties or the ideal formula of an alcohol solution for internal consumption.

By its nature, the work of a scientist relates more to metrics than to any other branch of knowledge. At the time of the introduction of the 40-degree norm, Dmitry Ivanovich was studying at the gymnasium, which makes it impossible for him to participate in making such a historically significant decision. As for the mentioned vodka commission of 1894, such a one was formed, but in 1895 on the instructions of S. Yu. Witte.

At the same time, Mendeleev himself participated in it, but not as a permanent member at the meetings, but at the very end, as a speaker, but on the topic of excise duty, and not the composition of the drink.

Instead of an afterword

As with any sensitive topic, the history of the appearance of vodka is shrouded in many myths and legends; this happens not because of someone’s ill will that wants to mislead, but for the sake of embellishment, which is typical for many of us.

Often in reality, things are more pragmatic and measured than in stories about a miraculous insight or sudden discovery, which turns history into a series of boring and mostly mercantilely justified phenomena.

So “bread wine” appeared only because the ruling layer saw the opportunity to make a profit from monopoly sales, and 40 degrees was a convenient rounding option that turned up, proposed almost by accountants.