The legend from Slovenia since 1647

ROI is incomparable. No other mineral water in the world can boast such natural properties. Nevertheless, the famous water from Rogaška Slatina in Slovenia is embedded in centuries of history.

The spring itself is over 8000 years old and its unique geological conditions create the most magnesium-rich mineral water on the planet.

The story:
According to mythology, the winged horse Pegasus struck the earth with his hoof on Apollo's instructions in Rogaška, Slovenia, thus opening the spring. At this solemn moment, Apollo spoke:

"This is the source of health and the true power of the gods. Drink from this Roitschocrene spring instead of that of Hippocrene."

The archives of the local parish church reveal that it was already known around 1300 that the spring water was conducive to a longer life. The first chemical analysis of the water was presented in 1572 by Leonhard Thurneysser in his work Pison. According to legend, Count Petar Zrinski drank the water while hunting in 1665, which miraculously cured his ailments and led to him presenting ROI to the entire European royal family. In 1680, Dr. Paul de Sorbait, court physician, professor at the medical faculty in Vienna and personal physician to Emperor Leopold I and Empress Eleonor, examined the miraculous water. He described it in his book Praxis Medicae and cured his patients with this water until they were fully recovered without the use of further medication and achieved international fame. Due to its amazing healing effects, he gave the Slovenian water the name "The God Potion". 

Joannes Benedict Gründel then wrote the first and only monograph on water in Europe as early as 1687, which of course only dealt with ROI.

A good hundred years later, and therefore still 200 years before our time, the price of a single bottle of ROI was the equivalent of €12 or more. Due to the high price, counterfeits came onto the market, so that Empress Maria Theresa decreed in 1774 that every bottle from Rogaška had to have a label, including the year of bottling and an annually changing symbol. The price also had to be published in the Viennese newspapers in order to control the proliferation of counterfeits.

Let's move a little closer to the present and take a look at Chicago, where the water was awarded a quality medal at the 1893 World's Fair and named the third best water in the world alongside Selters and Vichy.

"As with wine, it's not just the characteristics that you can perceive, but also the story."
Michael Mascha
Founder of the Fine Water Society

The source:
The springs are located in the middle of the most tectonically diverse areas of Slovenia and have three regional faults: Alps, Dinaric Alps, Pannonian Basin. The oldest rock layer is around 285 million years old. 

This unique geological and hydrogeological interplay brings up the extremely special mineral water from a depth of 300 meters, enriched with magnesium, calcium, sulphates and bicarbonates.

Using radiocarbon dating, the age of the artesian spring water is estimated to be around 8,000 years, and the naturally carbonated water rises to the surface without the help of pumps, driven by the carbon dioxide it contains. 

Charles VI, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, granted the Vienna Apothecaries' Association a concession to use the spring in 1721, and the spring took on the appearance of a fountain after the first technical interventions.

Ferdinand Attems bought the land around the springs in 1803 and founded the spa resort and thus the Rogaška Spa Resort.

Health:
ROI's unique mineral water offers different health benefits depending on how you drink it. Drink it fast and warm to speed up intestinal activity or slow and cool to increase the absorption of the minerals. As magnesium is responsible for regulating the entire nervous and muscular system, the most magnesium-rich mineral water in the world is the ideal complement to an elevated lifestyle with many benefits when consumed in moderation. Excessive amounts of ROI can have a laxative effect. 

"Think about it! Much more electrolytes than Gatorade! But it's from Mother Nature!"
Martin Riese
World's leading water sommelier

The taste:
ROI benefits from one of the highest mineral contents (TDS) of any bottled water in the world. Its huge mineral content brings a distinct, rich and full-bodied taste to the table. The elements are harmoniously balanced and easily absorbed by the body in soluble form.

"This is strong water"
Evan Ghang
Buzzfeed

"ROI is like a cognac to me" // "I always call it the Big Boy"
Martin Riese
The world's leading water sommelier

Design:
With the change from Roitschocrene to ROI came a new philosophy in terms of design and dealing with history. In 2011, people simply realized what they were actually dealing with, and so it was that they soon received the prestigious awards for design and taste from the Fine Water Society and other institutions year after year.

Exclusivity:
ROI is offered exclusively by FINE LIQUIDS in Germany and Europe. The water is in incredibly high demand and yet strictly limited to protect the source. FINE LIQUIDS is therefore the first retailer in Europe to offer the water at all.

ROI is a member of the Fine Water Society.

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50cl glass bottle

Text Patrick Eckert, FINE LIQUIDS | Sources: Michael Mascha, Fine Water Society & www.roiwater.ae