The origin of vodka is impossible to establish. The Russians claim paternity, tracing parental rights back to approximately 950 - 1000, when the clear stuff was called bread wine. Poland, Sweden, and most of Scandinavia have all, at one time or another, claimed creation of everyone's favourite "tasteless" alcohol. Poland's first recorded production dates back to 1405 (looks like Russia wins the pissing contest; I'm just saying).

Grey Goose was tailor-made for the US market as far bask as…1997. Sidney Frank, self-made billionaire, decided to make a super-premium vodka for suckers - er, Americans. On a whim he proclaimed, "today, I feel like making vodka," and that's what he did. Believing the French-equals-high-quality theory, he dispatched a team to Cognac, France to begin production.

The result: a premium vodka, worth an extra penny(?). Sidney Frank has admitted that the high price was a ploy to bolster an illusion of quality. Grey Goose, made from French winter wheat (potato free) and spring water filtered through limestone, may not have a truly premium pedigree, but it's production sure sounds fantastic. Maybe I'm a sucker.