Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/101724
BRAND PROFILE One for the People ONE VODKA AIMS TO SHINE A SPOTLIGHT ON MOLDOVA by Rich Manning / photos by Anne Watson One Vodka uses winter wheat, platinum filtration and Moldovan spring water to produce vodka that is creamy and smooth, with no burn. Napa Sunset by Patrick "Irish" Quinn of The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar, Tustin, CA ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ 2 oz. One Vodka 1 oz. Ruby Red grapefruit juice ½ oz. pomegranate juice 1 oz. Moscato wine Shake and drain over a chilled glass. Patrick "Irish" Quinn of The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar in Tustin, CA pours the Napa Sunset. F or the most part, the Eastern European country of Moldova is an unknown commodity. Geography buffs can tell you that it's a former Soviet republic roughly the size of Maryland, wedged between Romania and Ukraine. But if Patrick McNamara has his way, Moldova's proile will be signiicantly raised beyond that of hardcore map addicts. McNamara is using his clout as Salveto Imports' Senior Vice President and Director of Sales to promote One Vodka, a Moldovan libation that uses the power of winter wheat and platinum iltration to produce an exquisite beverage free from harsh burns and unpleasant aftertastes. "One of the big goals that we want to achieve with One Vodka is to get Moldova recognized as being a phenomenal region for producing spirits," he says. "It is one of the last great undiscovered regions left in the world." In order to tell this tale, McNamara shines the spotlight on One Vodka's two main characters: winter wheat and premium iltration. Winter wheat seeds are planted in the late fall and early winter; when snow blankets the ields, it causes a slowdown in the germination process. The result is stalks of wheat that are sturdy, nutrient-rich and of a superior overall quality. "They are like wheat on steroids," McNamara states. "Because it's higher quality wheat, it will naturally help to produce a higher quality of vodka. And because of the platinum iltration process, the vodka is naturally gluten-free." While that method of iltration sounds scientiically advanced, its roots actually date back to 19th century Russia. The platinum acts as a catalyst that hastens distillation while preventing undesirable chemicals from forming—the aldehydes and esters that produce harsh aromas and the burning sensation in many other vodkas—and allowing the natural qualities of One Vodka to come through, from subtle fruity aromatics to a clean creaminess on the palate. Add the pure natural spring water that One Vodka pulls from its Moldovan wells ("It's creamy, heavy water," McNamara says; "we like to joke that it will make you change the way you'll want to make ice") and you have a product that has been winning over the vast majority of focus groups that encounter it. "We know that One Vodka, and the people behind it, prove that Moldova can produce ine vodka," McNamara says. "One mixes well with other ingredients and also stands out all on its own." If positive reaction continues to grow, McNamara may be well on his way in putting Moldovan libations on the map. Distributors interested in representing One Vodka, please contact Patrick McNamara at Patrick@SalvetoImports.us january 2013 / the tasting panel / 111