Who will challenge the claim that alcohol is an integral part of Russian culture? Most likely, this component is already fixed at the genetic level. Is it not this feature of the Russian mentality that prompted the classic to deduce the postulate: “You cannot understand Russia with your mind ...”?
One way or another, it does not make sense to fight alcohol consumption in Russia, it is universally recognized. But after all, at certain concentrations, alcohol is poison! Many books have been written about its detrimental effects on health and fate, sad examples of the results of abuse are found at every step. What to do with this?
Erkin Tuzmukhamedov, a member of the Russian Sommelier Association, widely known among amateur and wine experts he devoted his life to studying the exciting world of alcohol.
By his thoughts about when and what kind of beloved “booze” by many (the famous shocking term used by the expert in his books and lectures) can turn into poison, and when it is not only harmful, but even useful, the famous sommelier willingly shares with everyone wanting.
His views on this burning topic are interesting for everyone who is far from hypocrisy, looks at life widely and is ready to accept the master’s original philosophical approach.
Erkin Tuzmukhamedov, sommelier
He is a leading Russian expert in the field of strong drinks, the author of numerous publications in well-known publications, a member of judicial commissions and international competitions of wines and spirits.
Moreover, Erkin Tuzmukhamedov dedicated to the topic of alcohol several books that are used by many professionals and connoisseurs of drinks in Russia and the CIS as teaching aids. A recognized expert on the subject of alcohol has his own online blog, as well as radio and television programs.
It should also be said that Tuzmukhamedov - the owner of the sommelier school, in which everyone is trained to join the secrets of his knowledge and skill.
But this is not limited to the life of a celebrity. His world is rich and multi-faceted. Member of the Russian Association Erkin Tuzmukhamedov He is also an employee of the stunt association "Master". In addition, he leads the Walrus plywood music ensemble and is a soloist in it.
And finally Erkin Tuzmukhamedov systematically takes part in the world championships on slow pipe smoking.
What and how should a true gentleman drink?
According to the expert, the main thing that he does in life is teaching people how to drink properly. Mostly people choose drinks under the influence of established stereotypes, succumbing to advertising, fashion, misinformation, distributed by companies seeking to promote their product. Because of this, real poison often gets into their body, which, according to the expert, cannot be drunk.
Few Russian connoisseurs of alcohol have a real concept of the culture of drinking alcoholic beverages, which is quite developed in Europe.
Because of this, in Russia there is this problem - drunkenness.
This traditional Russian social problem cannot be fought with prohibitive methods, according to Erkin Tuzmukhamedov. It is necessary to instill a culture of alcohol consumption to a new generation.
Erkin Tuzmukhamedov: biography
Talking about himself to reporters, the sommelier invariably calls his childhood "very difficult." His father, a professor, a world-famous political scientist, Rais Tuzmukhamedov, was very fond of checking how his son performs the lessons. And since both things were bad with mathematics, and the boy was allowed to walk only after he completed all the tasks, he mainly had to stay at home. Thanks to this, he early joined the reading.
He also joined another. When his father was on business trips, and this happened quite often, Erkin opened the treasured cabinet and ... tasted drinks from many beautiful foreign bottles.
At 12, he first tasted whiskey. It was the Japanese Suntory Kakubin, which the boy liked from the first sip. Since then, whiskey is a sommelier's favorite drink. We can say that the master fell in love with him since childhood.
“About tasty and healthy whiskey”
So in all seriousness I wanted to name one of my books Erkin Tuzmukhamedov.
Books masters: “Whiskey of the world”, “Scotch whiskey”, “Whiskey. Guidebook ”,“ Strong spirits of the world ”,“ Gastronomic encyclopedia of whiskey ”,“ Champagne and other sparkling wines of France ”,“ Bukhlo ”- are intended both for retail and restaurant business professionals, as well as for a wide range of readers. In them, for the first time in domestic literature on alcohol, systematization of hard drinks based on raw materials is presented. Much attention is paid to their review, the history of origin and production technology, serving, storage. Advice is given: how, when, where and what, in fact, to drink.
But most importantly - they provide detailed information about one of the most interesting and varied drinks in the world - Scotch whiskey. The history of origin, the manufacturing technology, brand and grade, the subtleties of tasting, the rules for drinking, set out on the example of one of the most popular in the world - Dewar's, immersion in the most interesting country-specific information - all this can make the reader a true connoisseur of whiskey.
About whiskey school
Erkin Tuzmukhamedov considers this drink to be truly beneficial for the body. The expert calls the dose: up to 120 g (3 servings of whiskey) are able to warm and effectively "clean the brain." The master considers this drink to be absolutely self-sufficient - it is drunk in small sips without any snack.
He calls himself a real fan of this drink, tasted almost all varieties, knows a lot about whiskey and is ready to share his knowledge with others.
This is what Tuzmuhamedov Erkin, an expert on whiskey, looks like: a photo taken during a tasting.
Not theory, but practice
At one time, the sommelier created his own school of whiskey - "Share of the Angel." The only teacher at the school of whiskey, which opened in March 2008, was the expert himself.
Erkin Tuzmukhamedov reads a lecture to those who wish (the photo above shows the process).
The school organized meetings with whiskey producers visiting Russia, other interesting guests of the country, and drink lovers. Listeners had the opportunity to chat with John Campbell (an American science fiction writer), as well as Bill Samuels, the owner of one of the brands of American bourbon.
The emphasis in the school was not on theory, but on practice. Each lesson was supported by a mandatory tasting (6 samples each), which gives an idea of ​​the dynamics of the aging process, the effect of the type of barrel on the taste of the drink, regional differences, etc.
"I discovered the world for myself ..."
So one of the listeners begins his review of the school of whiskey and adds: "... no, perhaps, the whole universe of Scotch whiskey ..."
The simple three components - yeast, water and malt - would seem to completely deprive the technology of preparing the drink. But immersion in a variety of tastes, aromas and styles leaves the audience with confidence that whiskey may not be enough for life to comprehend the exciting world.
Dewar's Whiskey Ambassador
Around the world, do not find fans of Scotch whiskey. But the secrets of the production of the drink, its history, rules of use are known to few.
Erkin Tuzmukhamedov is a true expert practitioner of this drink. In his small distillery, in the country, from time to time the master personally produces whiskey. Starting work early in the morning, in the evening gets 3 liters of a 70-degree drink, in the technology of which there are no secrets for him.
Sommelier is the ambassador of Dewar's whiskey in Russia, he began cooperation with the brand not only because of the admiration for the drink, but also out of respect for the founder of the company Tommy Duar, who was much ahead of his time.
Teaching at Dewar's Academy of Whiskey, Erkin Tuzmukhamedov in a short and accessible form shared his knowledge with restaurateurs and simply connoisseurs of the drink.
“Do not interfere with whiskey and cola”
When asked how to drink whiskey properly, Erkin Tuzmukhamedov replies that each person has a special, very useful technological hole in his head in which to pour the drink with glassware.
But seriously speaking, the most important thing to remember is that they do not drink good whiskey with ice or with cola.
Aged drink, first of all, gives pleasure to aroma. As you know, all aromatic compounds are volatile. Exposure to low temperature (ice) significantly reduces the release of aroma.
Cola is a terrible poison. Cola contains components that corrode rust on metal. One can imagine how effectively it corrodes the walls of the human stomach. Cola can kill everything, not to mention the taste and aroma of whiskey. But if the whiskey is bad - then you can drink it with cola.
It is better to drink good expensive whiskey in nature, so that the aroma and taste of the drink is not overwhelmed by urban smog. And it is better not to smoke. And if you smoke - it’s exclusively cigars.
About sommelier school
In 2009, not satisfied with the role of a visiting expert on strong alcohol, which he had to play in all Moscow schools, sommelier Erkin Tuzmukhamedov decided to establish his own, in which he is a co-owner. His educational institution is registered at the address: Leningradskoye Shosse, 96, building 1, building 1. Moscow, 125195.
The deep professional experience of teachers gained over the years of work in the role of leading tasters, experts and bartenders is what this sommelier school is based on. Erkin Tuzmukhamedov offers students a detailed historical excursion about the birth of the drink, information on the geography of production, cooking technology, classification of varieties.
The most important part of the course is practical training - tasting of strong drinks: whiskey, cognac, rum or vodka.
Also, students are offered short courses on types of cigars, bar craftsmanship and mixology.
As the announcement shows, classes at the school are held on Tuesdays and Fridays, starting from 19:00 and "until the last drop in the last bottle", so students are not recommended to come to school by personal transport.
About vodka and alcoholism
Journalists often ask him how an expert on strong drinks refers to such a stereotypical drink as vodka. Erkin Tuzmukhamedov considers vodka one of the greatest deceptions of the twentieth century. The fact that CIS GOSTs are given out as vodka is actually pure neutral alcohol diluted with water up to 40 degrees. In physics, this is called a binary mixture, where only two components are mixed.
Whiskey, tequila, rum contain a huge number of ingredients, among which ethyl alcohol is about 40%. Everything else is impurities that create aroma and a bouquet of taste. Vodka is simply ethanol, which can be called a weapon of slow genocide.
You can get alcoholism from anything: from wine, and from beer, and from the same whiskey. It's all about culture, self-discipline of man.
But the fastest and most effective way to develop dependence is on the use of alcohol without impurities.
Alcoholism in the CIS countries is a real social problem, the percentage of patients here is much higher than in Europe, although Europeans drink no less. But abroad, they drink vodka in cocktails, and Russians drown the diluted alcohol in glasses.
Erkin Tuzmukhamedov always concludes his meetings and conversations with the traditional “alcoholic” wish: “Take care of the liver!”