A few months ago, I posted about the debate that several vodka producing countries are having over what should and shouldn't be called vodka. An article in today's New York Times picks up the story. Basically, certain countries, including Finland, Sweden and Poland, contend that for something to be called vodka, it must be distilled from either potatoes or certain grains, not from things like grapes or maple syrup. These countries are seeking labeling restrictions for these "non-traditional" vodkas. BBC News reported that such restrictions could affect up to two thirds of all the vodka currently produced in non-Baltic EU countries. The NYT article also points out that vodka's history and original ingredients are up for debate, citing possible Russian, Polish, Italian and Arabian origins that may have included plums, apples or grapes.More on the meaning of vodka
A few months ago, I posted about the debate that several vodka producing countries are having over what should and shouldn't be called vodka. An article in today's New York Times picks up the story. Basically, certain countries, including Finland, Sweden and Poland, contend that for something to be called vodka, it must be distilled from either potatoes or certain grains, not from things like grapes or maple syrup. These countries are seeking labeling restrictions for these "non-traditional" vodkas. BBC News reported that such restrictions could affect up to two thirds of all the vodka currently produced in non-Baltic EU countries. The NYT article also points out that vodka's history and original ingredients are up for debate, citing possible Russian, Polish, Italian and Arabian origins that may have included plums, apples or grapes.Comments [4]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
211-26-2006 @ 6:52PM
Dan Tannenbaum said...
Absolute(ly)! Let's keep the Vodka pure....it warms the cockles of a Romanoff's heart! Has anyone ever tried ZYR vodka? I had a bottle and it was delicious!
411-28-2006 @ 7:06PM
Robert Hess said...
If you want to pull "tradition" into the vodka debate, then unfortunately you have to essentially allow it to be made from virtually anything. While "grains" have probably been the most popular element used for making vodka, that is simply because it is cheaper than other options. When the term "vodka" (or more appropriately "wada") was first being used. It was a term that was applied to any distilled spirit. What we today think of as "Vodka" would have originally been referred to as "white vodka".
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