France ? If it isn’t distilled from grains or potatoes, it really isn’t vodka, the European Parliament decided Tuesday.

But it ruled liquor companies can still use the “vodka” tag for spirits made from other ingredients, such as sugar beets or fruit, as long as that is clearly stated on the label.

The decision by the European Union’s legislative assembly was a defeat for countries where vodka is made by the traditional methods. They wanted to ban spirits made other ways from being labeled as vodka.

The vote came on guidelines to replace 1989 EU rules setting quality standards for various kinds of alcoholic drinks, including Greece’s ouzo and Germany’s rum-verschnitt.

But it was vodka that drew the most debate, because it has a worldwide market of around $12 billion a year.