Story at a glance
- California malbec and merlot grapes tainted by last year’s fires are being used to make vodka.
- The vodka is a partnership between the Crimson Wine Group and Hanger 1 Vodka.
- All proceeds from the sale of the drink will be given to charity meant to help victims of the fires.
After wildfires engulfed parts of California last year, some “smoke-tainted” grapes are being used to make vodka, according to Reuters.
Fires in California last year burned over 4 million acres with one of the largest fires being the Glass Fire in the northern part of the state, according to Bon Appétit. The Glass FIre spread through Napa and Sonoma counties, both large winemaking regions, in September and October, the magazine notes.
And as officials worked to figure out how to contain the blaze, winemakers in the area worried that their crops would be completely ruined for the season.
Our country is in a historic fight against the coronavirus. Add Changing America to your Facebook or Twitter feed to stay on top of the news.
One California wine-maker, Nicolas Quille, told Reuters that he remembers the smoke from 2017 fires gave his wine a bit of an “ashtray” smell. So, when the fires broke out near his vineyard in Napa he quickly harvested his malbec and merlot grapes, he told the outlet.
“It was the wrong decision. It wasn’t that good,” Quille, who is the chief winemaking and operations officer at the Crimson Wine Group, told Reuters.
But instead of throwing out that batch of wine, Crimson Wine Group joined forces with Hanger 1 Vodka to turn the altered grapes into an exclusive new vodka. Hanger 1’s Smoke Point Vodka is distilled from grapes and grain.
The vodka is the first of its kind to use “smoke-tinged” California malbec and merlot grapes, according to the company’s website.
“After the 2020 Glass Fire swept through Northern California, these two brands wanted to come together and give back to the local community,” Hanger 1 states on its website. All proceeds from Smoke Point Vodka sales will be donated to the California Fire Foundation, the company pledged.
The liquor has an “unexpected flavor profile” the company boasts. “Clean, floral aromas on the nose, and fruity, subtly sweet, vanilla, licorice, and butterscotch notes on the palate, with a peppery, allspice finish.”
READ MORE STORIES FROM CHANGING AMERICA
‘HAMILTON’ STAR LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA FIRES BACK AT CANCEL CULTURE
WAR ERUPTS OVER NEW MARVEL BLOCKBUSTER’S GAY SUPERHERO
‘PARKS AND RECREATION’ ACTOR CHARGED WITH VANDALIZING GEORGE FLOYD STATUE
changing america copyright.
