Hungarian Distilleries on Winning Side in EU Vodka Debate

The definition of vodka seems, well, crystal clear – at least to us. In Moscow, they take some grain or potatoes, distil them, and drink till they drop. But as it turns out, a lot of the Hungarian-style vodka enjoyed on Moszkva tér, and other parts of Europe for that matter, is made from molasses (melasz) and grape marc (törköly). Hungarian producers have been taking advantage of the EU regulation that allows almost any transparent intoxicating and tasteless liquor to be sold as vodka. Yesterday, our Polish friends demanded that the EU puts its foot down on what is and isn't vodka - leaving Hungarian and other producers in the cold.

But despite the doom-mongering tone of this article, we can reveal that our distilleries have absolutely nothing to worry about. In the EU, a process like this can take years, involving all the big European hitters and several ronds of fierce bargaining. András Nagy, head of the Hungarian guild of spirits manufacturers (MSZSZT), exclusively revealed to pestiside today that agriculture ministers made short work of keeping the goalposts exactly where they are at yesterday's meeting. "There is a lot of politics involved in a decision like this - the British government raised the issue that any change would be extremely difficult to justify to the WTO, for example. In any case, modern active filtration techniques mean there is little or no difference in quality, taste or production cost, whatever the vodka is made from. We believe it is best for the market to decide on what is and isn't good vodka." We'll drink to that, but we'll stick to the pálinka, thanks. Egészségetekre! - Adrian Courage