POTATOES OR MOLASSES, IT’S STILL VODKA

The European Parliament has struck a compromise deal on the definition of vodka. Although a full report will not be released until March, members voted to make the definition as broad as possible despite some MEP’s (Finland, Poland, ect.) who wanted to limit “vodka” to a spirit made only out of potatoes or grains.

Now, producers must include the basic ingredient for the vodka on the label, whether it’s molasses, grain or potatoes. The compromise will allow producers throughout the EU to continue making vodka as they always have, and will also avoid problems at the WTO.

WINE REFORMS TOO RADICAL. Members of the EU Parliament Agriculture Committee agreed that the distillation system used to dispose of surplus wine should be retained in the short-term. Furthermore, they determined that member states should be allowed to choose how they dispose of wine in their own countries.

The measures, to be voted on by the full Parliament in February, were laid down in a report by MEP Katerina Batzeli.