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 war was triggered by the actions of Diageo, who began marketing their Cîroc beverage as a vodka uniquely produced exclusively from grapes.^[4]

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 made from items other than cereals, potatoes and molasses should say "Vodka produced from..." on the label.^[1]

On 20 February 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.^[5] 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 US$12 billion annual vodka market.^[3] In particular, some drinks presently marketed as vodka will have to be re-branded.

The issue goes beyond the EU: The United States is the world's fastest-growing vodka producer, and if its non-traditional vodkas are excluded from the EU, it may retaliate in the World Trade Organization.^[3]

Opponents of modifying the present definition, which states vodka as "a spirit drink produced from ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin," argue that citing traditions and cultures as justification for imposing a restrictive vodka definition is a tactic to exclude other vodka producers.^[6]