🥃 Poire Williams (Williams pear spirit)
Spirit of fermented Williams pears: in the EU from 37.5% vol., methanol up to 1350 g/hl; the name “Williams” only for 100% pears of this variety.
Poire Williams (Williamsbirne) is a clear fruit spirit obtained by fermenting and distilling Williams pears. In the EU the name “Williams” may be used only on a pear spirit made exclusively from pears of this variety. It is category 9 of Regulation 2019/787: strength from 37.5% vol., with no added alcohol, flavourings or colourings.
For Williams pears the regulation makes a separate exception. Their spirit may contain up to 1350 g of methanol per hectolitre of pure alcohol, as for quince or blackcurrant, whereas for other pears the limit is 1200 g/hl. Each distillation must be below 86% vol., volatile aroma substances at least 200 g/hl, and sugar no more than 18 g/l. If the name is not clear to the buyer, the label must also carry the word “spirit”.
The EU register holds four protected Williams pear names, all from 12 June 1989: Schwarzwälder Williamsbirne (Germany), Südtiroler Williams, Williams friulano and Williams trentino (Italy). In Switzerland the AOP Eau-de-vie de poire du Valais has applied since 21 December 2001: only Williams pears from the canton of Valais, where they are grown, fermented, distilled and bottled; strength at sale from 40% vol.
Williams pear spirit should not be confused with perry spirit, made from fermented pear juice. That belongs to category 10, like Eau-de-vie de poiré de Normandie, and has a sugar limit of 15 g/l.
Why it matters to you. “Williams” on a label means only pears of this variety, whereas plain “pear spirit” means any pears. “Poiré” points to a spirit of pear cider, that is, a different drink. A protected name guarantees the origin. WHO: there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Facts
| EU category | 9 — fruit spirit; the name “Williams” only from pears of this variety |
|---|---|
| Alcohol (% vol.) | from 37.5% vol. (EU); from 40% vol. — Eau-de-vie de poire du Valais AOP |
| Raw material | fermented Williams pears (Pyrus communis cv. “Williams”) |
| Distillation method | each distillation below 86% vol.; methanol up to 1350 g/hl of pure alcohol |
| Legal basis | Reg. (EU) 2019/787, cat. 9(b)(ii), 9(i); 4 EU GIs since 12.06.1989; AOP Valais since 21.12.2001 |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Poire Williams (Williams pear spirit) → kind of → 🍎 Fruit brandies → kind of → 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Next step
- 🍷 Alcoholic fermentation, 🍷 Yeast
- Packed in
- 🍷 Wine label
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Part of
- 🍎 Fruit brandies, 🥃 Fruit spirit
- Related to
- 📍 Valais, 📍 South Tyrol, 📍 Friuli-Venezia Giulia, 🗺️ German wine
- Similar and different
- 🍏 Cider spirit and perry spirit, 🥃 Calvados, 🥃 Pálinka, 🥃 Mirabelle (mirabelle plum spirit), 🥃 Kirsch (Kirschwasser), 🥃 Mirabelle (mirabelle plum spirit), 🥃 Rakia, 🥃 Vas wild pear pálinka (Vasi vadkörte pálinka)
Frequently asked questions
What is poire Williams made from?
Only from fermented Williams pears. Each distillation is below 86% vol., and added alcohol, flavourings and colourings are forbidden (category 9 of EU Regulation 2019/787).
What is the minimum strength of poire Williams?
In the EU, 37.5% vol. The Swiss Eau-de-vie de poire du Valais AOP is sold at 40% vol. or more.
Is it true that any pear spirit can be called “Williams”?
No. The EU regulation allows the name “Williams” only for a spirit made exclusively from Williams pears. If it is made from other pears, it is simply a pear spirit.
Why is more methanol allowed for Williams pears?
The EU regulation places Williams pears in a group with a limit of 1350 g/hl of pure alcohol, together with quince and currants; for other pears the limit is 1200 g/hl. The regulation does not explain the reason.
How does poire Williams differ from calvados or a pear cider spirit?
Poire Williams is made from whole fermented pears (category 9). Cider and perry spirits are category 10: they are distilled from fermented juice, with sugar up to 15 g/l.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🗺️ German wine — The country's wine and winemaking: regions, grapes and appellations.
- 🍷 Alcoholic fermentation — Yeast eats the sugar in the must and releases alcohol and carbon dioxide.
- 🍷 Wine label — The sticker on a bottle: who made it, where from, the year and strength.
- 🍷 Yeast — Microscopic fungi that turn sugar into alcohol and gas.
Similar
🥃 Slivovitz (šljivovica) · 🥃 Kirsch (Kirschwasser) · 🥃 Fruit spirit · 🥃 Mirabelle (mirabelle plum spirit) · 🍏 Cider spirit and perry spirit · 🍓 Geist
⚠️ 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
- Regulation (EU) 2019/787 on spirit drinks (OJ L 130, 17.5.2019), Annex I
- eAmbrosia (EU register of geographical indications): Schwarzwälder Williamsbirne, PGI-DE-01999 (EUGI00000014203)
- eAmbrosia (EU register of geographical indications): Südtiroler Williams, PGI-IT-01880 (EUGI00000015377)
- Association suisse des AOP-IGP: Eau-de-vie de poire du Valais AOP (enregistrée le 21.12.2001)
- eAmbrosia — EU register of geographical indications, public API (spirit drinks; data of 20.10.2026)
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)