Jabol

Jabol (Polish pronunciation: [ˈjabɔl]) is a slang name for a kind of cheap Polish fruit wine ^[1] that is made from fermented fruit and is bottled at 8% to 18% alcohol by volume. Its name, "jabol," seems to be derived from "jabłko", the Polish word for "apple," which it is sometimes made from. However, it may have other flavors, usually fruit but also others, such as chocolate^[2] or mint.^[3]

It comes in a variety of containers and is sold under a variety of names.

Slang names

Apart from "jabol" or "jabcok", this beverage has amassed a variety of colourful slang names. Two that are commonly encountered are "sikacz" (a reference to the effect of alcohol on urination) and "siarkofrut" (a reference to both a brand of juice marketed to children, and to the wine's taste of sulfur (resulting from its low-quality production process)).

History

Jabol is produced by several companies and has been drunk by generations of Poles. It is especially popular in Polish punk culture.

Packaging and price

Jabol is sold in glass and plastic bottles^[4] or cartons^[5] (similar to milk or juice cartons). It is priced at about 4.50 PLN (1.60 USD)^[6] for a 0.70L bottle. Sometimes a deposit is required on bottles, which is usually 20%-30% of the wine price.^[7]

In popular culture

• Pieniądze to nie wszystko – comedy film by Juliusz Machulski from 2000
• Jabol punk, Jabolowe ofiary (Jabol victims) – songs by KSU from album Pod prąd.
• Tanie Wino (Cheap wine) – song by Haratacze
• SO2 – song by Zielone Żabki (sulfur dioxide reference)
• Acid Drinkers – Polish thrash metal band. The name is a reference to the drink.
• Autobiografia – one of the most popular songs by the Polish band Perfect.
• Arizona – documentary by Ewa Borzęcka from 1997, showing life in poor Polish village

See also

• Flavored fortified wines
• Jug wine
• Plonk (wine)

References

External links

• Polish site about jabol