Grey Goose (vodka)
{{Short description|Premium vodka brand}}
{{other uses|Grey Goose (disambiguation){{!}}Grey Goose}}
{{advert|date=June 2020}}
{{Infobox beverage
|name=Grey Goose
|logo=File:Grey Goose (vodka, logo).svg
|image=
|image_size=80
|caption=
|type=Vodka
|manufacturer=Bacardi
|origin=France
|introduced=1997
|abv=40%
|proof=80 proof
|related=List of vodkas
|variants=L'Orange, Le Citron, La Poire, Cherry Noir, Le Melon
|website={{URL|http://greygoose.com}}
}}
Grey Goose is a brand of vodka produced in France. It was created in the 90s by American businessman Sidney Frank, who sold it to the multinational company Bacardi{{Cite web|last=MarketWatch|first=C. B. S.|title=Bacardi acquires Grey Goose|url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/bacardi-acquires-grey-goose-vodka|access-date=2020-09-24|website=MarketWatch|language=en-US}} in 2004. The Maître de Chai for Grey Goose is François Thibault, who developed the original recipe for the vodka in Cognac, France.
Company history
Grey Goose was created by Sidney Frank Importing Co (SFIC). Sidney Frank, founder/CEO of the company, developed the idea in the summer of 1997. SFIC partnered with cognac producer François Thibault (a French Maître de Chai, or, Cellar Master) in France to transition his skills from cognac to vodka production.
The company selected France due to the country's culinary history and it was to differentiate itself from other vodkas produced in Eastern Europe. The company also developed its distinctive smoked glass bottle, featuring French geese in flight and delivered its product in wooden crates similar to wine.{{cite web |author=Seth Stevenson |year=2004 |title=The Cocktail Creationist |url=https://nymag.com/nymetro/news/bizfinance/biz/features/10816/ |access-date=October 1, 2013 |work=New York}}{{cite web |url=http://www.charentelibre.fr/2011/09/22/la-fabuleuse-aventure-de-la-vodka-de-cognac,1055980.php |title=La fabuleuse aventure de la vodka de Cognac |date=September 22, 2011 |access-date=October 1, 2013 |author=Ivan Drapeau |publisher=Charente Libre}}
In 1998, the Beverage Testing Institute reviewed Grey Goose Vodka, which was the highest-scoring brand with a 96.{{Cite web |last=admin |date=2003-08-28 |title=US: Battle erupts over Grey Goose adverts |url=https://www.just-drinks.com/news/us-battle-erupts-over-grey-goose-adverts-2/ |access-date=2024-06-14 |website=Just Drinks |language=en-US}} In 2001, Grey Goose released its first flavor, L'Orange, followed by Le Citron in 2002.{{cite news|url=https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2015/01/grey-goose-a-brand-history/|author=Tom Bruce-Gardyne|date=January 8, 2015|title=Grey Goose: a brand history|work=The Spirits Business}}
The company was eventually sold by Sidney Frank to Bacardi for a reported US$2.2 billion in 2004. That year, Grey Goose was the best-selling premium brand vodka in the United States,{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/31/business/yourmoney/31vodka.html |title=Want to Profit From Vodka? Follow That Grey Goose |author=Jim Rendon |access-date=October 1, 2013 |date=October 31, 2004 |work=The New York Times}} selling more than 1.5 million cases that year.{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/2004/09/10/cz_mm_0910goose.html |title=Grey Goose Billionaire's Second Act |date=September 10, 2004 |access-date=October 1, 2013 |author=Matthew Miller |work=Forbes}}
In 2018, Grey Goose partnered with Jamie Foxx for a nine-part online series called Off Script.{{cite news|url=https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2018/05/jamie-foxx-to-host-grey-goose-online-series/|author=Nicola Carruthers|date=May 8, 2018|title=Jamie Foxx to host Grey Goose online series|work=The Spirits Business}} It is the official vodka of the US Open tennis tournament, and is the key ingredient in the "honey deuce," the signature drink of the tournament.{{Cite web |title=US Open and Grey Goose Vodka extend landmark partnership |url=https://www.usopen.org/en_US/news/articles/2023-08-02/us_open_and_grey_goose_vodka_extend_landmark_partnership.html |website=US Open}}
Product description
File:Grey Goose Vodka IMG 3297.JPG
The wheat used in the creation of Grey Goose vodka is grown in Picardy, France. It is distilled in the Northeast of Paris, then sent to Cognac, France. Once received, the distillate is blended with a mix of spring and bottled water. Grey Goose uses soft winter wheat,{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/katiebell/2018/08/07/why-the-worlds-best-martini-starts-in-a-french-wheat-field/?sh=41f6e9c86942|author=Katie Kelly Bell|date=August 7, 2018|title=Why The World's Best Martini Starts In A French Wheat Field|work=Forbes}} sown in October and harvested in August, which provides it with four additional months of growth in comparison to summer wheat.
Even though Grey Goose distills its vodka from wheat, it is gluten-free.{{cite web|url=https://www.thedailymeal.com/drink/grey-goose-gluten-free|title=Is Grey Goose Gluten-Free?|last=Hare|first=Holly Van|date=2018-05-22|website=The Daily Meal|language=en|access-date=2019-04-13}} The distillation process removes the gluten from the final product.{{cite web|url=https://www.beyondceliac.org/answers-from-a-dietitian/Answer/1392/postid--12789/|title=Which Alcohols are Gluten-Free? {{!}} BeyondCeliac.org|website=Beyond Celiac|language=en|access-date=2019-04-13}}
During the distilling process, Grey Goose uses enzymes to break down carbohydrates into fermentable sugars. The fermentation takes place continuously over six cascading tanks, producing a 20-proof beer. The wash is then distilled into spirits using a five-step process. The water used in the vodka comes from a natural spring 150 meters (500 feet) below the blending facility in Cognac, which is lined with limestone, providing calcium-rich spring water. That water is then filtered to remove impurities. After the filtration, the vodka is bottled in a plant. Grey Goose vodka is bottled with a replaceable cork rather than a screw-top cap.{{cite web |url=http://www.alcademics.com/2012/10/how-grey-goose-is-made.html |title=How Grey Goose is Made |date=October 4, 2012 |access-date=October 1, 2013 |author=Camper English}}{{cite web |url= http://uk.askmen.com/fine_living/wine_dine_archive_250/282b_a-guys-guide-to-premium-vodka.html |title= A Man's Guide To Premium Vodka |publisher=AskMen |access-date=October 4, 2013 |author= Kathryn Jezer-Morton}}
References
{{reflist|2}}
External links
{{commons category|Grey Goose vodka}}
- [https://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/26/dining/26wine.html?ex=1264482000&en=5913ec796f54a33c&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt New York Times: A Humble Old Label Ices Its Rivals] January 26, 2005. (Relevant to topic on super-premium vodka market.)
{{Vodkas}}
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