🥃 Genziana trentina
Distillate of fermented yellow gentian roots from Trento province: EU PGI, at least 40% ABV, at least 10 kg of dried roots per hectolitre of pure alcohol.
Genziana trentina (or Genziana del Trentino) is an EU protected geographical indication for a distillate of fermented gentian roots from the autonomous province of Trento in northern Italy. The roots are gathered in the province's forests and pastures, and the spirit is distilled and bottled there too. The drink is clear and slightly bitter, with a strength of at least 40% ABV.
Protected name. The name belongs to category 18 of Regulation (EU) 2019/787, gentian. It was previously listed in Annex III of Regulation (EC) No 110/2008, next to Südtiroler Enzian. The technical file was submitted by the autonomous province of Trento. It requires at least 10 kg of dried yellow gentian roots (Gentiana lutea), or the equivalent amount of fresh roots, per hectolitre of pure alcohol, and it limits methanol to 1,000 g per hectolitre.
Production. Fresh or dried roots are fermented and then distilled in batch stills below 86% ABV, separating the heads and tails. Before distillation, agricultural ethyl alcohol may be added. The traditional method uses the Tullio Zadra apparatus with a water bath. Sugar up to 20 g/l is allowed, the spirit is diluted only with drinking water from Trentino, and ageing in wood is permitted.
History. According to the technical file, the method was developed by a family from Borgo (Spiazzo-Rendena). Its distillery has been registered in Trento since 1849, and the family received permission to dig the roots as early as 1832. In 1975 the researcher Aldo Gorfer called it the oldest gentian root distillery in Italy. Statistics for 1879 to 1880 already mention gentian distilleries in Trentino.
Why this matters to you. The aroma of dry herb, hay, juniper and damp earth comes from the roots, not from flavourings, which are banned for gentian in the EU. The bitterness does not make the drink a medicine: it is a strong alcoholic drink at 40% ABV or more. The WHO reminds us: there is no safe amount of alcohol.
Facts
| EU category | gentian (category 18 of Regulation (EU) 2019/787); geographical indication |
|---|---|
| Legal basis | Regulation (EU) 2019/787; PGI technical file, Ares(2019)4246589 |
| Raw material | fermented roots of yellow gentian (Gentiana lutea) from Trento province, at least 10 kg of dried roots per hl of pure alcohol |
| Distillation method | batch still, below 86% ABV; traditionally the Tullio Zadra apparatus with a water bath |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | from 40% ABV; sugar up to 20 g/l |
| Year founded | family tradition from Borgo: permission in 1832, distillery since 1849 |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Genziana trentina → then → 🍷 Alcoholic fermentation ← goes through ← 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Next step
- 🍷 Alcoholic fermentation
- Packed in
- 🍷 Oak barrel
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Part of
- 🌼 Gentian spirit
- Related to
- 📍 Trentino
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Bayerischer Gebirgsenzian, 🥃 Grappa trentina, 🥃 Aprikot trentino, 🥃 Distillato di mele trentino
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that gentian spirit aids digestion?
No. Such claims are banned in the EU on drinks stronger than 1.2% ABV. Genziana trentina is a strong alcoholic drink at 40% ABV or more.
Which gentian is Genziana trentina made from?
From the roots of yellow gentian (Gentiana lutea), gathered in the forests and pastures of Trento province: at least 10 kg of dried roots per hectolitre of pure alcohol.
How is Genziana trentina distilled?
In batch stills below 86% ABV, separating the heads and tails. Traditionally with the Tullio Zadra apparatus and a water bath.
What is the strength of Genziana trentina?
At least 40% ABV. The general EU minimum for gentian is 37.5% ABV.
Can Genziana trentina be flavoured?
No. Gentian is not flavoured in the EU. Only up to 20 g/l of sugar is allowed, and the spirit may be aged in wooden containers in Trento province.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🍷 Oak barrel — A wooden barrel of oak staves in which wine matures and breathes.
- 🍷 Alcoholic fermentation — Yeast eats the sugar in the must and releases alcohol and carbon dioxide.
- 🥃 Grappa trentina — Grappa from the province of Trento: distilled by 31 December of the harvest year, strength from 40 to 60% vol., logo on the bottle.
- 🍷 Drunk driving — Never drive after drinking wine: alcohol slows your reactions.
Similar
🥃 Bayerischer Gebirgsenzian · 🥃 Distillato di mele trentino · 🥃 Aprikot trentino · 🥃 Grappa trentina · 🥃 Maine cider brandy (Eau-de-vie de cidre du Maine) · 🥃 Genièvre Flandre Artois
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- eAmbrosia (EU GI register), technical file 'Genziana trentina' or 'Genziana del Trentino', Ref. Ares(2019)4246589 (EN): gentian category; fermented gentian roots grown and processed in the Autonomous Province of Trento; distilled < 86 %, discontinuous still, min. 40 %; min. 10 kg dried Gentiana lutea roots per hl pure alcohol; methanol ≤ 1000 g/hl a.a.; ethyl alcohol may be added before distillation; sugar ≤ 20 g/l; Trentino drinking water; wood ageing allowed; Tullio Zadra water-bath method; Borzago family, registered since 1849, root-digging permit 1832; statistics 1879–80
- eAmbrosia, scheda tecnica 'Genziana trentina' o 'Genziana del Trentino' (IT), Ref. Ares(2019)4246589; applicant Provincia Autonoma di Trento
- Regulation (EC) No 110/2008, Annex III as at 31.01.2020 (legislation.gov.uk): Italy — Südtiroler Enzian/Genziana dell'Alto Adige and Genziana trentina/Genziana del Trentino (18. Gentian)
- Regulation (EU) 2019/787 on spirit drinks, Annex I: cat. 18 gentian (min. 37.5 %, not flavoured); Chapter III — geographical indications
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)