Grapes Grown in Smoky Air Used in New Vodka
2021-12-13
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1Grapes from the Napa area of California make some of the world's most famous wines.
2But what happens when nearby fires create smoke that destroys the taste of the grapes?
3Nicholas Quille is a wine maker, and he did not want to find out.
4He remembered that when fires came near in 2017, his wine had smoky flavors that most people did not like.
5So last year, he hurried to pick all of the merlot and malbec grapes he was growing nearby.
6But he was too late, and his grapes once again had a strange, smoky flavor.
7The smoke can change the chemistry of the grapes and change their taste.
8Quille is the winemaker who runs Crimson Wine Group.
9Instead of throwing away the wine, he worked with Hangar 1 Vodka to make a new alcohol from the smoky wine.
10He sent the vodka-maker some bottles of wine and they made a new product called Smoke Point vodka.
11Emily Webster works for Hangar 1. She called the vodka "gorgeous."
12Some money from selling the vodka will go to the California Fire Foundation.
13Michael Kudra is a bartender in San Francisco.
14The Reuters news agency asked him to taste the new vodka.
15He said it was "smooth" and the drink reminded him of how the air smells when someone far away is cooking with fire.
16Quille said his winemaking business lost money because of the bad-tasting grapes,
17but he is happy to know that he can make vodka again in the future if the smoke comes too close.
18Scientists say the chance of fire in northern California is growing because of long periods without rain, and extreme heat resulting from climate change.
19Quille said if the fires happen more often, the vodka option "needs to be on the table."
20I'm Dan Friedell.
1Grapes from the Napa area of California make some of the world's most famous wines. 2But what happens when nearby fires create smoke that destroys the taste of the grapes? 3Nicholas Quille is a wine maker, and he did not want to find out. He remembered that when fires came near in 2017, his wine had smoky flavors that most people did not like. 4So last year, he hurried to pick all of the merlot and malbec grapes he was growing nearby. But he was too late, and his grapes once again had a strange, smoky flavor. 5The smoke can change the chemistry of the grapes and change their taste. 6Quille is the winemaker who runs Crimson Wine Group. 7Instead of throwing away the wine, he worked with Hangar 1 Vodka to make a new alcohol from the smoky wine. 8He sent the vodka-maker some bottles of wine and they made a new product called Smoke Point vodka. 9Emily Webster works for Hangar 1. She called the vodka "gorgeous." 10Some money from selling the vodka will go to the California Fire Foundation. 11Michael Kudra is a bartender in San Francisco. The Reuters news agency asked him to taste the new vodka. 12He said it was "smooth" and the drink reminded him of how the air smells when someone far away is cooking with fire. 13Quille said his winemaking business lost money because of the bad-tasting grapes, but he is happy to know that he can make vodka again in the future if the smoke comes too close. 14Scientists say the chance of fire in northern California is growing because of long periods without rain, and extreme heat resulting from climate change. 15Quille said if the fires happen more often, the vodka option "needs to be on the table." 16I'm Dan Friedell. 17Dan Friedell adapted this story for Learning English based on reporting by Reuters. Susan Shand was the editor. 18What would you do with grapes that had a smoky flavor? Tell us in the Comments Section and visit our Facebook page. 19__________________________________________________________________ 20Words in This Story 21flavor - n. a particular type of taste 22gorgeous - adj. very enjoyable or pleasant 23bartender - n. a person who serves drinks at a bar or restaurant 24on the table - an expression meaning to consider an idea seriously