Vodka Wars Continue

You may remember "Russian Standard Takes Shots at Stolichnaya," a blog post about the Latvian-produced Stolichnaya's defamation by Russian Standard's Tariko. Now, the so-called vodka wars have taken a turn, pitting the drink's purists against the industry's "imitation" beverages - that is, those "vodkas" made from ingredients that stray from the (strictly) barley or potato tradition. The argument lies in how wine's standards prevent it from being produced from anything but grapes - and how the definition of vodka should remain just as narrow. However, fears over the narrowing of this definition can be understood - flavored vodka drinks or vodka made from other ingredients would be elbowed out of a worldwide market. What vodka is to countries who pride it as a national beverage (Poland, for example) may mean little to companies who profit from a variety of beverages that are purchased for their taste, not how firmly they adhere to the way vodka has been historically produced.

Poll:How do you feel about what vodka's made of?

• I'm a vodka purist. Made from anything but grain or potatos, and it's not vodka.
• Vodka should be grain- or potato- based, even though I mix it.
• Vodka can be made from anything - as long as it tastes good.
• Vodka can be made from anything - as long as it lives up to its name.
• Vodka? I won't touch the stuff.
• View Results