Ciroc
Encyclopedia
Cîroc is a brand of distilled beverage manufactured in France
and marketed as a vodka
. It is claimed by the drink's promoters that it distinguished from other vodkas by the fact that it is derived from grape
s, in contrast to corn
, sorghum
, rye
, wheat
, or potato
es that are more commonly used. Because the product is distilled at 96% and is not aged, it fulfills the qualities of a vodka.
The grapes used for Cîroc vodka are "snap frost" grapes; Mauzac Blanc
from the Gaillac
region of France, and Ugni Blanc
from the Cognac
region. The juice extracted from these grapes is cold fermented
.
Although all vodkas and eaux de vie are distilled, the manufacturers of Cîroc vodka emphasize that theirs is distilled five times. The first four distillations of the Ugni Blanc take place in stainless steel
column still
s; the Mauzac Blanc grapes are distilled in copper
continuous stills. These are distilled as far as 96.5% and 93.5%, then blended together 95% being Ugni Blanc and 5% Mauzac Blanc. The final distillation is performed in a traditional Armagnac
style copper pot still.
Earl Little
became one of the first Americans to promote the brand in the USA during 2003, in line with Diageo
's intended targeting of the brand to a more "urban" clientele. The brand was introduced to audiences at various nightclubs and venues throughout the USA with popular urban celebrities in cities such as Atlanta and Miami. In 2007, Sean "Diddy" Combs
agreed to become a brand ambassador for the product. In December 2007, the commercial for Cîroc had Sean Combs calling Cîroc the "Official Vodka of New Year's." Combs sometimes jokingly refers to himself as "Ciroc Obama," a play on the name of U.S. President Barack Obama
. Combs has improved sales; Ciroc is on pace to sell more than 1 million cases in 2011.
The brand introduced two flavoured varieties to the market in 2010: Red Berry and Coconut. In 2011, Cîroc added a Peach flavor.http://blog.estavamorioka.com/diddy-announces-ciroc-peach.html
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and marketed as a vodka
Vodka
Vodka , is a distilled beverage. It is composed primarily of water and ethanol with traces of impurities and flavorings. Vodka is made by the distillation of fermented substances such as grains, potatoes, or sometimes fruits....
. It is claimed by the drink's promoters that it distinguished from other vodkas by the fact that it is derived from grape
Grape
A grape is a non-climacteric fruit, specifically a berry, that grows on the perennial and deciduous woody vines of the genus Vitis. Grapes can be eaten raw or they can be used for making jam, juice, jelly, vinegar, wine, grape seed extracts, raisins, molasses and grape seed oil. Grapes are also...
s, in contrast to corn
Maize
Maize known in many English-speaking countries as corn or mielie/mealie, is a grain domesticated by indigenous peoples in Mesoamerica in prehistoric times. The leafy stalk produces ears which contain seeds called kernels. Though technically a grain, maize kernels are used in cooking as a vegetable...
, sorghum
Sorghum
Sorghum is a genus of numerous species of grasses, one of which is raised for grain and many of which are used as fodder plants either cultivated or as part of pasture. The plants are cultivated in warmer climates worldwide. Species are native to tropical and subtropical regions of all continents...
, rye
Rye
Rye is a grass grown extensively as a grain and as a forage crop. It is a member of the wheat tribe and is closely related to barley and wheat. Rye grain is used for flour, rye bread, rye beer, some whiskeys, some vodkas, and animal fodder...
, wheat
Wheat
Wheat is a cereal grain, originally from the Levant region of the Near East, but now cultivated worldwide. In 2007 world production of wheat was 607 million tons, making it the third most-produced cereal after maize and rice...
, or potato
Potato
The potato is a starchy, tuberous crop from the perennial Solanum tuberosum of the Solanaceae family . The word potato may refer to the plant itself as well as the edible tuber. In the region of the Andes, there are some other closely related cultivated potato species...
es that are more commonly used. Because the product is distilled at 96% and is not aged, it fulfills the qualities of a vodka.
The grapes used for Cîroc vodka are "snap frost" grapes; Mauzac Blanc
Mauzac (grape)
Mauzac or Mauzac Blanc a white variety of grape used for wine, of the species Vitis vinifera. It is mainly grown in the Gaillac and Limoux regions in the southwest of France. Total French plantations of Mauzac stood at in the year 2000....
from the Gaillac
Gaillac
Gaillac is a commune in the Tarn department in southern France.-Geography of Gaillac:Gaillac is a town situated between Toulouse, Albi and Monatauban. It has gained a large amount of recognition due to the wines that bear the towns name. The Tarn river runs along the border of the town by the...
region of France, and Ugni Blanc
Trebbiano
Trebbiano is the second most widely planted grape in the world. It gives good yields, but makes undistinguished wine at best. It can be fresh and fruity, but does not keep long. Its high acidity makes it important in Cognac production...
from the Cognac
Cognac
Cognac is a commune in the Charente department in southwestern France. It is a sub-prefecture of the department.-Geography:Cognac is situated on the river Charente between the towns of Angoulême and Saintes. The majority of the town has been built on the river's left bank, with the smaller right...
region. The juice extracted from these grapes is cold fermented
Fermentation (wine)
The process of fermentation in wine turns grape juice into an alcoholic beverage. During fermentation, yeast interact with sugars in the juice to create ethanol, commonly known as ethyl alcohol, and carbon dioxide...
.
Although all vodkas and eaux de vie are distilled, the manufacturers of Cîroc vodka emphasize that theirs is distilled five times. The first four distillations of the Ugni Blanc take place in stainless steel
Stainless steel
In metallurgy, stainless steel, also known as inox steel or inox from French "inoxydable", is defined as a steel alloy with a minimum of 10.5 or 11% chromium content by mass....
column still
Still
A still is a permanent apparatus used to distill miscible or immiscible liquid mixtures by heating to selectively boil and then cooling to condense the vapor...
s; the Mauzac Blanc grapes are distilled in copper
Copper
Copper is a chemical element with the symbol Cu and atomic number 29. It is a ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. Pure copper is soft and malleable; an exposed surface has a reddish-orange tarnish...
continuous stills. These are distilled as far as 96.5% and 93.5%, then blended together 95% being Ugni Blanc and 5% Mauzac Blanc. The final distillation is performed in a traditional Armagnac
Armagnac (drink)
Armagnac is a distinctive kind of brandy or eau de vie produced in the Armagnac region in Gascony, southwest France. It is distilled from wine usually made from a blend of Armagnac grapes, including Baco 22A, Colombard, and Ugni Blanc, using column stills rather than the pot stills used in the...
style copper pot still.
Earl Little
Earl Little
Earl Little is a former American football defensive back who has played for the New Orleans Saints, Cleveland Browns, and Green Bay Packers. Little played college football at the University of Miami....
became one of the first Americans to promote the brand in the USA during 2003, in line with Diageo
Diageo
Diageo plc is a global alcoholic beverages company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the world's largest producer of spirits and a major producer of beer and wine....
's intended targeting of the brand to a more "urban" clientele. The brand was introduced to audiences at various nightclubs and venues throughout the USA with popular urban celebrities in cities such as Atlanta and Miami. In 2007, Sean "Diddy" Combs
Sean Combs
Sean John Combs , also known by his stage names Diddy and P. Diddy, is an American rapper, singer, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur. He has won three Grammy Awards and two MTV Video Music Awards, and his clothing line earned a Council of Fashion Designers of America award. He was originally...
agreed to become a brand ambassador for the product. In December 2007, the commercial for Cîroc had Sean Combs calling Cîroc the "Official Vodka of New Year's." Combs sometimes jokingly refers to himself as "Ciroc Obama," a play on the name of U.S. President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
. Combs has improved sales; Ciroc is on pace to sell more than 1 million cases in 2011.
The brand introduced two flavoured varieties to the market in 2010: Red Berry and Coconut. In 2011, Cîroc added a Peach flavor.http://blog.estavamorioka.com/diddy-announces-ciroc-peach.html