🥃 Südtiroler Enzian
Clear distillate of fermented yellow gentian roots from the province of Bolzano. Protected EU name, at least 40% ABV, with at least 10 kg of dry roots per hectolitre of pure alcohol.
Südtiroler Enzian, in Italian Genziana dell'Alto Adige, is a protected EU name for a clear distillate of fermented roots of yellow gentian (Gentiana lutea). Crushing, fermentation, distillation, dilution and ageing all take place in the autonomous province of Bolzano in South Tyrol. The spirit must be at least 40% ABV, and methanol may not exceed 1,000 g per hectolitre of pure alcohol.
Protected name. The name appears in Annex III of Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 among the Italian gentian drinks, and now falls under Regulation (EU) 2019/787, where gentian spirit is category 18. The technical description was submitted by the association of farm distillers Südtiroler Hofbrennereien.
How it is made. At least 10 kg of dry roots, or the equivalent amount of fresh roots, go into each hectolitre of pure alcohol. The roots are washed, crushed and fermented without added alcohol; agricultural alcohol may only be added before distillation. Distillation takes place in batch stills with a water bath, below 86% ABV, and the spirit is diluted with local drinking water that flows through granite, porphyry and dolomite.
Flavour and ageing. According to the technical description, the aroma is herbal with a note of fresh clay, and the taste is slightly bitter with hints of rowan berry and cocoa. Up to 20 g of sugar per litre may be added, and caramel only after 12 months in wood. The spirit was once transported in small casks called Lagelen.
Why it matters to you. The name Südtiroler Enzian guarantees gentian roots, distillation in South Tyrol and a strength of at least 40% ABV. The bitter taste of the root does not make the drink a medicine: it is a strong spirit. The WHO notes that there is no safe amount of alcohol.
Facts
| EU category | category 18, gentian spirit; protected Italian name |
|---|---|
| Legal basis | Regulation (EU) 2019/787; technical description Ref. Ares(2015)4244611 |
| Raw material | yellow gentian roots (Gentiana lutea), at least 10 kg dry per hl of pure alcohol; agricultural alcohol only before distillation |
| Distillation method | batch still with water bath, below 86% ABV |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | at least 40% ABV; methanol up to 1,000 g/hl, sugar up to 20 g/l |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Südtiroler Enzian → packed in → 🍷 Oak barrel ← packed in ← 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Next step
- 🥃 Distillation
- Packed in
- 🍷 Oak barrel
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Part of
- 🌼 Gentian spirit
- Related to
- 📍 South Tyrol
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Genziana trentina, 🥃 Bayerischer Gebirgsenzian, 🥃 Südtiroler Grappa, 🥃 Südtiroler Golden Delicious, 🥃 Südtiroler Golden Delicious, 🥃 Südtiroler Gravensteiner, 🥃 Südtiroler Gravensteiner, 🥃 Südtiroler Kirsch, 🥃 Südtiroler Kirsch, 🥃 Südtiroler Marille
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that alcohol can be added to Südtiroler Enzian?
Yes, but only agricultural alcohol and only before distillation; the roots themselves are fermented without added alcohol.
How many roots go into Südtiroler Enzian?
At least 10 kg of dry yellow gentian roots, or the equivalent in fresh roots, per hectolitre of pure alcohol.
What is the strength of South Tyrolean gentian spirit?
At least 40% ABV; the general EU limit for gentian spirit is 37.5% ABV.
Is Südtiroler Enzian aged?
It may mature in casks and other wooden vessels; caramel is allowed only after at least 12 months of ageing.
How does it differ from the gentian spirit of Trentino?
They are two separate protected names from neighbouring provinces, Bolzano (South Tyrol) and Trento, each with its own technical description.
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.
- 🥃 Südtiroler Marille — Clear distillate of fermented apricots in the province of Bolzano, with a light note of bitter almond. Protected EU name, at least 40% ABV; sugar up to 20 g per litre.
- 🍷 Drunk driving — Never drive after drinking wine: alcohol slows your reactions.
- 🥃 Südtiroler Kirsch — Clear distillate of cherries fermented and distilled in the province of Bolzano. Protected EU name, at least 40% ABV, hydrocyanic acid up to 5 g per hectolitre of pure alcohol.
Similar
🥃 Genziana trentina · 🥃 Bayerischer Gebirgsenzian · 🥃 Südtiroler Golden Delicious · 🥃 Südtiroler Gravensteiner · 🥃 Südtiroler Williams · 🥃 Südtiroler Obstler
⚠️ 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 'Südtiroler Enzian'/'Genziana dell'Alto Adige', Ref. Ares(2015)4244611 (English): fermented roots of Gentiana lutea, fresh or dried, min. 10 kg dried roots per hl a.a.; ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin may be added before distillation; batch stills with water bath, < 86 % vol.; methanol ≤ 1000 g/hl a.a.; min. 40 % vol.; sugar ≤ 20 g/l; caramel only after ≥ 12 months in wood; all stages in the Autonomous Province of Bolzano; applicant Südtiroler Hofbrennereien
- eAmbrosia (EU GI register), technical file 'Südtiroler Enzian'/'Genziana dell'Alto Adige', Ref. Ares(2015)4244611 (Italian original)
- Regulation (EC) No 110/2008, Annex III as at 31.01.2020 (legislation.gov.uk): Italy — Südtiroler Enzian/Genziana dell'Alto Adige (18. Gentian)
- Regulation (EU) 2019/787 on spirit drinks (OJ L 130, 17.5.2019), Annex I: category 18 — gentian (distillate of fermented gentian roots, with or without added agricultural ethanol; min. 37.5 % vol.; not flavoured)
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)