Vodka wars

last updated 8 January 2015

Brussels

A proposal to define vodka as a spirit made from potatoes is causing battles in the European Parliament. Finland, Poland, Sweden, and the Baltic countries are pushing the proposal to prevent other countries from passing off grape- or beet-based clear liquors as vodka. Finnish representative Alexander Stubb pointed out that the ingredients of other drinks, including Scotch whisky, are strictly regulated. “My argument is that we need equality,” he said. British vodka producers, who use a mix of ingredients, were incensed. The Brit-dominated European Vodka Alliance said the proposal was a brazen “attempt to corner the market.” Britain is the E.U.’s second-largest vodka producer, after Poland.