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Till Friday, institute shares with the public
October 29, 2009
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It might seem odd for a government to employ tax agents to drink local liquor and give the most outstanding examples a stamp of quality. But that’s exactly what the bureaucrats who award the “liquor quality certificate” from the Technical Service Institute under the National Tax Service, are charged to do, as of the beginning of 2009. The institute started the service to commemorate the 100th year since it was founded following the enactment of Korea’s liquor tax law in 1909. So far this year the institution has received applications for the award on behalf of 140 traditional Korean liquor products, including rice wine and fruit wines, with 60 percent passing the test. To maintain objectivity, the institution recruited 20 outside experts as judges and had them analyze the liquors’ tastes, aromas and colors. “By receiving the official liquor quality certification, local liquor makers can take advantage of prestige marketing campaigns and consumers can purchase high-quality, credible wines,” said an official at the institute. “Labeling certificates will also contribute to an increase in local liquor exports.” Some of the certified liquors include the sansachun traditional wine made by Baesangmyun Brewery Company, Hansan Sogokju made by the brewery of the same name, and Gyeongju bupju, a traditional rice wine. As part of efforts to improve the local liquor industry and encourage the use of high-quality beverages in Korea’s service industry, the government-run institution has also been investigating several pub districts in southern Seoul to see whether they sell real liquor or fakes. If you’d like to taste the fruits of the institute’s labors, it is currently holding an event at which the public can taste certified liquors at its research office in Mapo District in Ahyeon-dong, northern Seoul. Some 2,500 rare liquors preserved by the institute will be on display, with booths for local liquor manufacturers. The event ends Friday. For details, call (02) 3149-5200 or visit i.nts.go.kr. By Lee Eun-joo [angie@joongang.co.kr] |
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