Sommelier Erkin Tuzmukhamedov: biography, books

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Who will dispute the assertion 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 the mind…”?

One way or another, it makes no sense to fight alcohol in Russia, it is generally recognized. But after all, at certain concentrations, alcohol is a poison! Many books have been written about its detrimental effects on he alth and destinies, sad examples of the results of abuse are found at every turn. How about this?

Erkin Tuzmukhamedov, a member of the Russian Sommelier Association, widely known in the circles of lovers and wine experts, devoted his whole life to the study of the exciting world of alcohol.

With my thoughts aboutwhen and what kind of “booze” loved by many (the famous outrageous term used by an expert in his books and lectures) can turn into poison, and when it is not only not harmful, but even useful, the famous sommelier willingly shares with everyone.

His views on this burning topic are interesting for everyone who is far from hypocrisy, has a broad outlook on life and is ready to accept the master's original philosophical approach.

Erkin Tuzmukhamedov, sommelier

He is a leading Russian expert in the field of spirits, the author of numerous publications in well-known publications, a member of the judging commissions and international competitions for wines and spirits.

In addition, Erkin Tuzmukhamedov devoted several books to the topic of alcohol, which are used by many professionals and connoisseurs of drinks in Russia and the CIS as teaching aids. A recognized expert on alcohol topics, he maintains his own Internet blog, as well as radio and television programs.

It should also be said that Tuzmukhamedov is the owner of a sommelier school, where everyone who wants to join the secrets of his knowledge and skill.

But this is not the end of celebrity life. His world is rich and multifaceted. Erkin Tuzmukhamedov, a member of the Russian Association, is also an employee of the Master stunt association. 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 in slow pipe smoking.

What and how should a true gentleman drink?

According to the expert, the main thing he does in life is teaching people how to drink properly. Basically, people choose drinks under the influence of established stereotypes, succumbing to advertising, fashion, misinformation spread by companies seeking to promote their product. Because of this, real poison often enters their body, which, according to the expert, cannot be drunk.

Few Russian connoisseurs of alcohol have a real understanding of the culture of drinking alcoholic beverages, which is quite developed in Europe.

Because of this, in Russia this problem exists - drunkenness.

This traditional Russian social problem cannot be fought with prohibitive methods, according to Erkin Tuzmukhamedov. It is necessary to instill a culture of drinking alcohol in the new generation.

Erkin Tuzmukhamedov: biography

Telling about himself to journalists, the sommelier invariably calls his childhood "very hard". His father, professor, political scientist of world renown, Rais Tuzmukhamedov, was very fond of checking how his son was doing his homework. And since both were doing poorly with mathematics, and the boy was allowed to walk only after he had completed all the tasks, he mostly had to stay at home. Because of this, he started reading early.

I also joined another. When his father was on business trips, and this happened quite often, Erkin opened the coveted locker and… tasted drinks from numerous beautiful foreign bottles.

He tasted whiskey for the first time at the age of 12. It was the Japanese Suntory Kakubin, which the boy liked from the first sip. Since then, whiskey has been the sommelier's favorite drink. It can be said that the master has loved him since childhood.

About tasty and he althy whiskey

So, in all seriousness, Erkin Tuzmukhamedov wanted to name one of his books.

Books of the master: "Whiskey of the World", "Scotch Whiskey", "Whiskey. Guide”, “Strong spirits of the world”, “Gastronomic Whiskey Encyclopedia”, “Champagne and other sparkling wines of France”, “Booze” - are intended both for professionals in the retail trade and restaurant business, and for a wide range of readers. For the first time in the domestic literature on alcohol, they present the systematization of strong drinks according to the raw material. Much attention is paid to their review, history of occurrence and technology of production, 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 diverse drinks in the world - Scotch whiskey. The history of origin, manufacturing technology, brands and varieties, the subtleties of tasting, the rules for drinking the drink, set out on the example of one of the most popular in the world - Dewar's, immersion in the most interesting regional information - all this can make the reader a true connoisseur of whiskey.

About whiskey school

Erkin Tuzmukhamedov believes this drink is truly beneficial for the body. The expert names the dose: up to 120 g (3 servings of whiskey) are capable ofwarm and effectively "clear the brain." The master considers this drink to be absolutely self-sufficient - it is drunk in small sips without any snacks.

He calls himself a real fan of this drink, having tasted almost all varieties, knows a lot about whiskey and is ready to share his knowledge with others.

This is what whiskey expert Tuzmukhamedov Erkin looks like: a photo taken during the tasting.

Not theory, but practice

At one time, the sommelier created his own whiskey school - "Angel's Share". The only teacher at the Whiskey School, which opened in March 2008, was the expert himself.

Erkin Tuzmukhamedov reads lectures 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, lovers of the drink. Listeners had the opportunity to talk with John Campbell (American science fiction writer) and Bill Samuels, owner of one of the brands of American bourbon.

The emphasis at school was not on theory, but on practice. Each session was accompanied by a mandatory tasting session (6 samples each), which gives an insight into the dynamics of the aging process, the influence of the type of barrel on the taste of the drink, regional differences, etc.

I discovered the world…

This is how one of the listeners begins his review of the whiskey school and adds: “… no, perhaps the whole universe of Scotch whiskey…”

Simple threecomponents - yeast, water and m alt - it would seem that they completely deprive the technology of making a drink from understatement. But immersion in the variety of tastes, aromas and styles leaves listeners with the confidence that a lifetime may not be enough to comprehend the exciting world of whiskey…

Dewar's Whiskey Ambassador

Scotch whiskey fans are countless all over the world. But the secrets of the production of the drink, its history, the rules of use are known to few.

Erkin Tuzmukhamedov is a real expert practitioner of this drink. In his small distillery, in the country, the master personally produces whiskey from time to time. Starting work early in the morning, by the evening he receives 3 liters of a 70-degree drink, in the manufacturing technology of which there are no secrets for him.

The sommelier is the Dewar's whiskey ambassador in Russia, he began cooperation with the brand not only out of admiration for the drink, but also out of respect for the founder of the company, Tommy Dewar, who was way ahead of his time.

Teaching at the Dewar's Whiskey Academy, Erkin Tuzmukhamedov shared his knowledge in a concise and accessible form with restaurateurs and connoisseurs of the drink.

Don't mix the whiskey and cola

When asked how to drink whiskey correctly, Erkin Tuzmukhamedov replies that every person has a special, very useful technological hole in his head, into which the drink should be poured using glassware.

But seriously, the most important thing to remember is that good whiskey is not drunk with ice,not with cola.

Aged drink, above all, gives the enjoyment of aroma. As you know, all aromatic compounds are volatile. Exposure to low temperature (ice) significantly reduces aroma release.

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 is capable of killing everything, not to mention the taste and aroma of whiskey. But if the whiskey is bad, then you can drink it with cola.

Good expensive whiskey is better to drink in nature, so that the aroma and taste of the drink is not interrupted by city smog. And it's better not to smoke. And if you smoke, then only cigars.

About sommelier school

In 2009, not satisfied with the role of a guest expert on strong alcohol, which he had to play in all Moscow schools, sommelier Erkin Tuzmukhamedov decided to found his own, in which he is a co-owner. His educational institution is registered at the address: Leningradskoe shosse, 96, building 1, building 1. Moscow, 125195.

Deep professional experience of teachers gained over the years of work as leading tasters, experts and bartenders is what this sommelier school is based on. Erkin Tuzmukhamedov offers listeners a detailed historical overview of the birth of the drink, information on the geography of production, preparation technology, classification of varieties.

The most important part of the courses are practical exercises - tasting strong drinks: whiskey, cognac, rum or vodka.

Alsostudents are offered short courses on types of cigars, bar skills and mixology.

According to the announcement, classes at the school are held on Tuesdays and Fridays, starting at 19:00 and "to 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 the spirits expert feels about such a stereotypical drink as vodka. Erkin Tuzmukhamedov considers vodka one of the biggest deceptions of the 20th century. What CIS GOSTs pass off 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 amount of ingredients, among which ethyl alcohol is about 40%. Everything else is impurities that create aroma and bouquet of taste. Vodka is just ethanol, which can be called a weapon of slow genocide.

Alcoholism can get sick from anything: from wine, and from beer, and from the same whiskey. It's all about culture, human self-discipline.

But the fastest and most effective addiction is developed precisely from 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 just as much. But abroad they drink vodka in cocktails, while Russians drink diluted alcohol with glasses.

My meetings and conversations ErkinTuzmukhamedov always ends with the traditional "alcoholic" wish: "Take care of your liver!"