The Russians lose at their own game

29-05-2010, 00:06

Well kinda Chase English Vodka voted best in the world 2010

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/10105584.stm

**Rob** · 29-05-2010, 00:17

They need to consider themselves lucky that Russia is not part of the EU. If it were no doubt Vodka woould be region protected like so many other product types are such as cheese, pork pies, champagne .....

**Matt D** · 29-05-2010, 00:19

Vodka isn't named after a region though, so I don't think that would apply.

29-05-2010, 00:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt D

Vodka isn't named after a region though, so I don't think that would apply.

True (imo) - Vodka seems to be a fairly generic term - however the UK producer might be able to secure a 'Protected Designation of Origin' if they could prove they only used English potatoes in the process.

The success of premium Tequila brands such as Patron may be an indication people are prepared to pay more for provenance???

**Damien** · 29-05-2010, 00:38

Yeah the only 'region' protected names are products that have to come from a certain region, even within their own country. Isn't Scotch a protected term for single malts from Scotland?

punky · 29-05-2010, 00:49

Never heard of this region protection before. You're saying if Russian could prove that Vodka was a Russian invention and they were in the EU, only Russian companies could make it?

29-05-2010, 00:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damien

Yeah the only 'region' protected names are products that have to come from a certain region, even within their own country. Isn't Scotch a protected term for single malts from Scotland?

afaik 'Scotch' whisky has to come from Scotland, but it can include blends & may include grain of non-Scottish origin during manufacture.

- I don't know of any 'single malt' whiskys which have pdo or pgi status, but I'd be happy to be corrected

**Damien** · 29-05-2010, 00:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by punky

Never heard of this region protection before. You're saying if Russian could prove that Vodka was a Russian invention and they were in the EU, only Russian companies could make it?

I not sure on how official it is, certain it existed before the EU, but some products can only carry a name if they come from a certain region. For example Champagne can only be called that if it comes from the Champagne region of France, otherwise it's just sparkling wine. France has a whole host of examples, with Cheeses coming from certain regions. Scotch is whiskey from Scotland (I think it has to be a particular type of Whiskey though. You can have Whiskey from Scotland that isn't Scotch but you can't have Scotch that isn't from Scotland)

29-05-2010, 01:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by punky

Never heard of this region protection before. You're saying if Russian could prove that Vodka was a Russian invention and they were in the EU, only Russian companies could make it?

Have you not?

Many cheeses have pdo or pgi status - for example Stilton, Feta & Grana Padano

It also applies to balsamic vinegar 'de Modena', Parma ham, etc, etc.

Regarding 'Vodka' - if Russia could prove it was produced in its original format in Russia, & subsequently has always been produced in the traditional way then they may be able to secure exclusive use of the term 'Vodka' to describe the product - other companies could still make a similar product, but wouldn't be allowed to call it 'Vodka'

The more likely scenario is a local/regional modifier - i.e. region X Vodka, where they would have to prove an unique characteristic only applicable to vodka from that region, to support the application.

Recently Yorkshire rhubarb has achieved pdo status

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2...-eu-protection

**Maggy J** · 29-05-2010, 09:09

The funny thing is I always thought vodka was only made from potatoes which made it unique...

punky · 29-05-2010, 09:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by gazfan

Have you not?

Many cheeses have pdo or pgi status - for example Stilton, Feta & Grana Padano

It also applies to balsamic vinegar 'de Modena', Parma ham, etc, etc.

Regarding 'Vodka' - if Russia could prove it was produced in its original format in Russia, & subsequently has always been produced in the traditional way then they may be able to secure exclusive use of the term 'Vodka' to describe the product - other companies could still make a similar product, but wouldn't be allowed to call it 'Vodka'

The more likely scenario is a local/regional modifier - i.e. region X Vodka, where they would have to prove an unique characteristic only applicable to vodka from that region, to support the application.

Recently Yorkshire rhubarb has achieved pdo status

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2...-eu-protection

I'm sorry, but it wasn't clear. I thought everyone was talking about an eu-wide protectionism law, but seems to be just the name at stake here.

29-05-2010, 10:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by punky

I'm sorry, but it wasn't clear. I thought everyone was talking about an eu-wide protectionism law, but seems to be just the name at stake here.

LOL sorry, I went off a bit on that one

budwieser · 29-05-2010, 15:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maggy J

The funny thing is I always thought vodka was only made from potatoes which made it unique...

Isn`t that called `Moonshine` Maggy?

**Maggy J** · 29-05-2010, 19:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by budwieser

Isn`t that called `Moonshine` Maggy?

I always thought moonshine was from the grain..

LondonRoad · 29-05-2010, 19:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maggy J

I always thought moonshine was from the grain..

I always thought it was from the moon