What is more Russian than vodka? There are as many — if not more — kinds of vodka as there are California cabernets. Choosing the right vodka in a Russian supermarket can be as challenging as choosing the right wine in an American one.

Zakuska is any food that goes well with vodka. Many Russians will tell you that any food is good with vodka. Still, there is a large body of information devoted to making just the right kind of zakuska.