French Get Into the Russian Spirit
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TOULOUSE, France — A French company is exporting vodka to Russia.
Caves Byrrh said Moscow is shipping 3 million quart bottles in August and September.
Alain Palisse, director of Caves Byrrh, said his firm has developed a new vodka, called Petroff, to meet Russian tastes.
“We tried to make vodka in the 1950s but only for the French market. This time it is the Russians who, fearing they may not be able to meet increased vodka demand this summer, have asked us to supply 3 million bottles.”
Sources in Moscow said that there appears to be no shortage of vodka but that it is being sold at prices many Russians cannot afford--about $1 a half-quart.
They added that another problem is lack of bottles and spare parts for bottling equipment.
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