🥃 Südtiroler Gravensteiner
Clear distillate of old-variety Gravensteiner apples grown, distilled and bottled in the province of Bolzano. Protected EU name, at least 40% ABV.
Südtiroler Gravensteiner, in Italian Gravensteiner dell'Alto Adige, is a protected EU name for a clear distillate of apples of the old Gravensteiner variety. The apples are 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, and its aroma is that of ripe apples with a fresh, almost citrus note.
A rare variety. Gravensteiner has been grown in South Tyrol since the second half of the 19th century, mostly at altitude on hillsides and in the mountains. According to the technical description, the variety is hard to find outside the region, so distillers often grow their own apples for the spirit.
How it is made. Late ripening and even maturing after harvest, in containers, give the spirit its full aroma. The mash is fermented at a low temperature and distilled in pot or column stills below 86% ABV, with heads and tails removed. It is diluted with local spring water rich in minerals, 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 of ageing in wood. The spirit is not sold in bulk: it is bottled at the producing distillery.
Why it matters to you. The name Südtiroler Gravensteiner guarantees one old apple variety grown in South Tyrol and bottling on site. These are small batches, and it is still a strong spirit of 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 | Gravensteiner 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 Gravensteiner → 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, 🥃 Fränkischer Obstler, 🥃 Südtiroler Grappa, 🥃 Südtiroler Enzian, 🥃 Südtiroler Enzian, 🥃 Südtiroler Golden Delicious, 🥃 Südtiroler Golden Delicious, 🥃 Südtiroler Kirsch, 🥃 Südtiroler Kirsch, 🥃 Südtiroler Marille
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that Gravensteiner apples can be bought anywhere?
No. According to the technical description, the variety is rare outside South Tyrol, so distillers often grow the apples themselves.
Since when have Gravensteiner apples grown in South Tyrol?
Since the second half of the 19th century, mostly at altitude on hillsides and in the mountains.
What is the strength of Südtiroler Gravensteiner?
At least 40% ABV; the general EU limit for fruit spirits is 37.5% ABV.
Where is Südtiroler Gravensteiner bottled?
Only at the same producer in the province of Bolzano; the spirit is not sold in bulk.
What is the aroma of Südtiroler Gravensteiner?
According to the technical description, ripe apples with fresh, almost citrus notes, given by the variety and late ripening.
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 Golden Delicious · 🥃 Südtiroler Obstler · 🥃 Südtiroler Marille · 🥃 Wachauer Marillenbrand · 🥃 Pregler · 🥃 Fränkischer 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 Gravensteiner'/'Gravensteiner dell'Alto Adige', Ref. Ares(2015)4244601 (English): Gravensteiner apples cultivated, stored and fermented in South Tyrol; distilled, diluted and bottled there; methanol ≤ 1000 g/hl a.a.; min. 40 % vol.; ethyl acetate and aldehydes < 250 g/hl a.a.; grown in South Tyrol since the second half of the 19th century, mainly at altitude; variety hard to find elsewhere, often grown by distillers themselves
- eAmbrosia (EU GI register), technical file 'Südtiroler Gravensteiner'/'Gravensteiner 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 Gravensteiner/Gravensteiner 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)