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Vodka Rules
The European Union loves to regulate. And now — it’s all about vodka.
(I think I’m with the Scandinavians and Eastern Europeans on this one. But that’s probably because I prefer Scandinavian and Eastern European vodka. Which is to say, I prefer vodka, not “vodka”. I mean, there have to be clear standards, right?)
6 Responses to “Vodka Rules”
Scotch and tequila(agave) have similar definitions. Is Sctch made from rice and food coloring deserving of the label SCOTCH.
“Which is to say, I prefer vodka, not “vodkaâ€?. I mean, there have to be clear standards, right?)”
And a clear designation on the bottle! I think the compromise, regulating that vodka from other bases than grain or potato, has to be labeled ‘blended’ is the most reasonable one. Strangely, most of the british vodka comes from Scotland, and while the Scots want a monopoly on ‘Whiskey’, they see no problems in calling their stuff ‘Vodka’, even though it’s based on sugar beets. Sounds more like scotisch rum than vodka to me…
Btw, my favorite is polnish ‘Zubrowka’ (with a bison grass blade).
Cheers!
I only drink vodka mixed. Is it easy to tell apart different types of vodka? It seems like they’d all be basically the same.
I think the easiest thing is not to worry about names, which is mostly marketing, but to just include an ingredients list like on food.
Bellisarius, well, if you tasted two different “vodkas” one after another it might not be that hard to tell that they were different, for you to be able to say “A was from grapes and B was from sugar beets” would be damn hard.
That was my general wondering, Kevin. I mean, the thing that makes vodka is the ethanol, and that doesn’t have a particular flavor depending on where it comes from. At 40%, I wonder what the other 60% is composed of. Mostly water, I’d guess.
It seems a little like blue jeans, you pay the premium for the label mostly.
“Is it easy to tell apart different types of vodka?”
No.