🥃 Südtiroler Golden Delicious
Clear distillate of Golden Delicious apples grown, fermented, distilled and bottled in the province of Bolzano. Protected EU name, at least 40% ABV, bottled only on site.
Südtiroler Golden Delicious, in Italian Golden Delicious dell'Alto Adige, is a protected EU name for a clear distillate of apples of a single variety, Golden Delicious. The apples must be grown, stored and fermented in the autonomous province of Bolzano, where the spirit is also distilled, diluted and bottled. It must be at least 40% ABV.
Variety and region. Golden Delicious has been planted widely in South Tyrol since the second half of the 20th century, mostly on hillsides and in the mountains. According to the technical description, the large difference between day and night temperatures gives the apples a brighter aroma. For comparison, Alto Adige also produces a varietal spirit from Gravensteiner apples.
How it is made. Distillers make sure the fruit ripens evenly, and after harvest it is left to mature in cold storage in special containers. The mash is fermented at a controlled temperature and distilled in pot or column stills below 86% ABV. It is diluted with local water, which makes up about half of the finished spirit.
Rules. Methanol may not exceed 1,000 g, and ethyl acetate and aldehydes must stay below 250 g per hectolitre of pure alcohol. Up to 20 g of sugar per litre may be added, and whole fruit may be added after distillation; caramel is allowed only after 12 months in wood. Because of its delicate aroma, the spirit is not sold in bulk: it is bottled only at the producing distillery.
Why it matters to you. The name Südtiroler Golden Delicious guarantees one apple variety from South Tyrol and bottling at the distillery that made it. The aroma of a fresh apple does not reduce the strength: the bottle contains at least 40% ABV. The WHO notes that there is no safe amount of alcohol.
Facts
| EU category | category 9, fruit spirit; protected Italian name |
|---|---|
| Legal basis | Regulation (EU) 2019/787; technical description Ref. Ares(2015)4244601 |
| Raw material | Golden Delicious apples, grown, stored and fermented in South Tyrol |
| Distillation method | pot or column still, below 86% ABV, with heads and tails removed |
| 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 Golden Delicious → affects → 🍷 Alcohol and health ← affects ← 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Next step
- 🥃 Distillation
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Part of
- 🥃 Fruit spirit
- Related to
- 📍 South Tyrol
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Distillato di mele trentino, 🥃 Szabolcs apple pálinka (Szabolcsi Almapálinka), 🥃 Südtiroler Grappa, 🥃 Südtiroler Enzian, 🥃 Südtiroler Enzian, 🥃 Südtiroler Gravensteiner, 🥃 Südtiroler Gravensteiner, 🥃 Südtiroler Kirsch, 🥃 Südtiroler Kirsch, 🥃 Südtiroler Marille
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that Südtiroler Golden Delicious can be bottled anywhere?
No. The technical description requires bottling at the same producer in South Tyrol; the spirit is not sold in bulk.
Which apples are used for Südtiroler Golden Delicious?
Only Golden Delicious apples, grown, stored and fermented in the autonomous province of Bolzano.
What is the strength of Südtiroler Golden Delicious?
At least 40% ABV; the general EU limit for fruit spirits is 37.5% ABV.
Is sugar added?
It may be, but no more than 20 g per litre; whole fruit may also be added after distillation.
How does it differ from Südtiroler Obstler?
Obstler is made from various apples or apples with pears, while this spirit uses only one variety, Golden Delicious.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🥃 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 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 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
🥃 Südtiroler Gravensteiner · 🥃 Südtiroler Obstler · 🥃 Südtiroler Marille · 🥃 Wachauer Marillenbrand · 🥃 Fränkischer Obstler · 🥃 Dolenjski sadjevec
⚠️ 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 Golden Delicious'/'Golden Delicious dell'Alto Adige', Ref. Ares(2015)4244601 (English): apples grown, stored and fermented in South Tyrol; distilled < 86 % vol., batch or continuous; methanol ≤ 1000 g/hl a.a.; volatiles ≥ 200; acetate and aldehydes < 250 g/hl a.a.; min. 40 % vol.; sugar ≤ 20 g/l; bottled only at the producing facility; Golden Delicious grown in South Tyrol since the second half of the 20th century
- eAmbrosia (EU GI register), technical file 'Südtiroler Golden Delicious'/'Golden Delicious dell'Alto Adige', Ref. Ares(2015)4244601 (Italian original)
- Regulation (EC) No 110/2008, Annex III as at 31.01.2020 (legislation.gov.uk): Italy — Südtiroler Golden Delicious/Golden Delicious dell'Alto Adige (9. Fruit spirit)
- Regulation (EU) 2019/787 on spirit drinks (OJ L 130, 17.5.2019), Annex I: category 9 — fruit spirit (only fruit, distilled < 86 % vol., min. 37.5 % vol., no added alcohol, not flavoured)
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)