🥃 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.
Südtiroler Marille, in Italian Marille dell'Alto Adige, is a protected EU name for a clear distillate of apricots (Prunus armeniaca), fermented and distilled in the autonomous province of Bolzano. Marille is the Austrian name for apricot. The spirit must be at least 40% ABV, with the aroma of ripe apricot and a light bitter almond note on the finish.
An Austrian link. According to the technical description, apricot is an ingredient in many dishes of the Austro-Hungarian kitchen, such as the Sachertorte. Apricots began to be distilled in South Tyrol when the region belonged to Austria-Hungary, so Central European customs became local ones. Fruit distillation in the Vinschgau and Eisack valleys is mentioned already in Karl Mader's book of 1894.
How it is made. Ripe, undamaged apricots are used, partly or fully stoned, which determines the strength of the almond note. The mash is fermented at a moderately low temperature, distilled in pot or column stills below 86% ABV and diluted with local water. Hydrocyanic acid may not exceed 5 g per hectolitre of pure alcohol.
Label and additions. The name may be supplemented with an apricot variety or a locality, provided the fruit was grown in the province and at least 85% comes from that variety or locality. Up to 20 g of sugar per litre may be added, and caramel is allowed only after 12 months in wood.
Why it matters to you. The name Südtiroler Marille guarantees fermentation and distillation in South Tyrol, but not necessarily local apricots; only the variety or locality on the label guarantees that. It is a strong spirit. 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 | ripe apricots (Prunus armeniaca), partly or fully stoned; fermented in South Tyrol |
| Distillation method | pot or column still, below 86% ABV, with heads and tails removed |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | at least 40% ABV; hydrocyanic acid up to 5 g/hl, sugar up to 20 g/l |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Südtiroler Marille → 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
- 🥃 Aprikot trentino, 🥃 Kecskemét apricot pálinka (Kecskeméti Barackpálinka), 🥃 Gönc apricot pálinka (Gönci Barackpálinka), 🥃 Südtiroler Enzian, 🥃 Südtiroler Enzian, 🥃 Südtiroler Golden Delicious, 🥃 Südtiroler Golden Delicious, 🥃 Südtiroler Gravensteiner, 🥃 Südtiroler Gravensteiner, 🥃 Südtiroler Kirsch
and 17 more
🥃 Südtiroler Kirsch, 🥃 Südtiroler Obstler, 🥃 Südtiroler Obstler, 🥃 Südtiroler Williams, 🥃 Südtiroler Williams, 🥃 Südtiroler Zwetschgeler, 🥃 Südtiroler Zwetschgeler, 🥃 Williams friulano, 🥃 Williams friulano, 🥃 Williams trentino, 🥃 Williams trentino, 🥃 Wachauer Marillenbrand, 🥃 Wachauer Marillenbrand, 🥃 Wachauer Marillenlikör, 🥃 Wachauer Marillenlikör, 🥃 Wachauer Weinbrand, 🥃 Wachauer Weinbrand
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that the apricots for Südtiroler Marille grow only in South Tyrol?
Not necessarily. Fermentation and distillation must take place in the province of Bolzano; local fruit is required when a variety or locality is named on the label.
What does the word Marille mean?
It is the Austrian and South Tyrolean name for apricot.
What is the strength of Südtiroler Marille?
At least 40% ABV; the general EU limit for fruit spirits is 37.5% ABV.
Where does the almond note come from?
From the stones: apricots are distilled partly or fully without them, so the bitter almond only complements the fruit.
How does Südtiroler Marille differ from Wachauer Marillenbrand?
They are different protected names: the first comes from the Italian province of Bolzano, the second from the Austrian Wachau and only from 'Wachauer Marille' apricots.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🥃 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.
- 🍷 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.
- 🥃 Williams trentino — Clear distillate of Williams pears grown, processed and bottled in the autonomous province of Trento. Protected EU name, 40–50% ABV, sugar up to 20 g per litre.
Similar
🥃 Südtiroler Golden Delicious · 🥃 Südtiroler Gravensteiner · 🥃 Südtiroler Obstler · 🥃 Wachauer Marillenbrand · 🥃 Abricotine · 🥃 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 Marille'/'Marille dell'Alto Adige', Ref. Ares(2015)4244601 (English): apricots (Prunus armeniaca) fermented in South Tyrol, distilled < 86 % vol. there; partially or fully stoned; methanol ≤ 1000, HCN ≤ 5, acetate and aldehydes < 250 g/hl a.a.; min. 40 % vol.; sugar ≤ 20 g/l; variety or area with ≥ 85 % local fruit; Austro-Hungarian heritage (Sachertorte)
- eAmbrosia (EU GI register), technical file 'Südtiroler Marille'/'Marille 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 Marille/Marille 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)