Vodka war

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Vodka war refers to heated discussions within the European Union about the definition of which hard liquors may or may not be branded as "vodka".^[1]^[2] ^[3]

The countries of the EU "Vodka Belt" argue that only spirits made exclusively from cereals, potatoes and sugar beet molasses may be branded "vodka". Other distillers insist on a broader definition. The "Schnellhardt compromise", proposed by Horst Schnellhardt, suggests that vodkas other than from cereals, potatoes and molasses, then its label should say "Vodka produced from..."^[1]

On February 20, 2006 Poland put a demand to restrict the definition of Vodka within EU, and the move was supported by the "vodka belt" countries and Germany"^[4] This demand was triggered by a 2005 European Commission proposal to split vodka category into several subcategories basing on the flavor and raw materials.

If the Vodka Belt prevails, it will significantly influence the global $12 billion annual^[3] vodka market. In particular, many popular vodkas, such as grape vodka Ciroc will have to be rebranded.

The issue goes beyond the EU: opinions are expressed that the United States, fastest-growing vodka producer, if his non-raditional vodkas expelled from the EU, may retailate in the World Trade Organization.^[3]

Even in the Vodka belt, vodka has been produced from other ingredients than cereal. The Finnish economy "brand" Karhuviina was produced from by-products of the pulp industry.

1 Arguments for restricted definition
2 Arguments for broad definition
3 See also
4 References

[edit] Arguments for restricted definition

Vodka must be clearly defined in the same way as it has been done for other hard liquors, such as brandy or whiskey, in terms of raw ingredients, manufacture process, etc.
Such definition serves the protection of the quality and the originality of the product, similar to the notion of cording to the long established traditions of its production, a brand protection similar to the "Protected designation of origin".

[edit] Arguments for broad definition

Vodka taste does not derive from the taste of its ingredients. In fact, unless it is specifically flavored, vodka is generally defined as "tasteless".
- Traditionalists maintain that each good vodka has its own distinct flavor.
Threat of trade wars.
The proposal is seen as an attempt to monopolize the vodka market by the Vodka Belt
The restriction may hamper innovation, in the opinion of the UK representatives in the European Vodka Alliance ^[5]
The restriction may hamper US imports and lead to retaliation, since the United States is one of the largest vodka importers from the EU ($500 mln)^[5]