Gérard Depardieu to launch ‘bio-vodka’ brand in Russia

French actor Gérard Depardieu has announced plans to produce an environmentally friendly “bio-vodka” in Russia, with the 40% ABV tipple produced only from the “purest” ingredients, such as mountain spring water.

“This will be my first experience producing a strong, alcoholic drink, and I hope it will be a successful one. Nevertheless, I would like more people to choose wine as their drink of choice. Vodka is more of a party drink,” Depardieu told news agency Itar-Tass.

Last month, the actor told Russian newspapers that he planned to launch a chain of three restaurants in Russia, with the first, named Gerard, set to open in Moscow in October this year. A cultural centre named after the actor is also set to open in Russia’s western city of Saransk in 2015. Depardieu is formerly registered as a resident of the city, in the republic of Mordovia.

Depardieu was awarded Russian citizenship in January last year. The actor moved to the country after the introduction of a 75% supertax on annual earnings over €1 million ($1.3 million) in his native France prompted him to look to Russia, with its flat income tax rate of 13%, for a new home.

Source: Itar-Tass