🥃 Südtiroler Zwetschgeler
Clear distillate of plums (Prunus domestica), fermented and distilled in the province of Bolzano. Protected EU name, at least 40% ABV, hydrocyanic acid up to 5 g per hl.
Südtiroler Zwetschgeler, in Italian Zwetschgeler dell'Alto Adige, is a protected EU name for a clear distillate of plums (Prunus domestica), fermented and distilled in the autonomous province of Bolzano. Zwetschge is the German name for the damson plum, which gives the drink its name. The spirit must be at least 40% ABV and smells of ripe plum with a delicate almond note.
A relative of slivovitz. According to the technical description, the plum spirit reached the region from the Balkans along the trade routes of Central Europe, when South Tyrol belonged to Austria-Hungary. Local farmers made it softer than Balkan slivovitz, with a less intrusive almond note. The Zwetschgeler is a typical farmhouse spirit of the region.
How it is made. Ripe plums are used, partly or fully stoned, and care is taken that they ripen evenly after harvest. The mash is fermented and distilled in pot or column stills below 86% ABV, with heads and tails removed, and then diluted with local water. Hydrocyanic acid may not exceed 5 g, and methanol up to 1,000 g per hectolitre of pure alcohol.
Label and additions. The name may be supplemented with a variety or a locality of South Tyrol, provided the plums were grown in the province and 85% of them are of that variety or from there. Up to 20 g of sugar per litre may be added, and caramel is allowed only after 12 months of ageing; the spirit may mature in wooden casks.
Why it matters to you. The name Südtiroler Zwetschgeler guarantees fermentation and distillation in South Tyrol; local plums are guaranteed only by a variety or locality on the label. 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 plums (Prunus domestica), 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 Zwetschgeler → affects → 🍷 Alcohol and health ← affects ← 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Next step
- 🥃 Distillation
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Part of
- 🥃 Slivovitz (šljivovica), 🥃 Fruit spirit
- Related to
- 📍 South Tyrol
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Fränkisches Zwetschgenwasser, 🥃 Szatmár plum pálinka (Szatmári Szilvapálinka), 🥃 Südtiroler Enzian, 🥃 Südtiroler Enzian, 🥃 Südtiroler Golden Delicious, 🥃 Südtiroler Golden Delicious, 🥃 Südtiroler Gravensteiner, 🥃 Südtiroler Gravensteiner, 🥃 Südtiroler Kirsch, 🥃 Südtiroler Kirsch
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that Südtiroler Zwetschgeler is the same as slivovitz?
It is a plum spirit of the same family, but a separate protected name from South Tyrol, with a softer taste and a less prominent almond note.
What does the word Zwetschgeler mean?
It comes from the German Zwetschge, the damson plum; this is what plum spirit is called in South Tyrol.
What is the strength of Südtiroler Zwetschgeler?
At least 40% ABV; the general EU limit for fruit spirits is 37.5% ABV.
Must the plums grow in South Tyrol?
Only when a variety or locality is named on the label; otherwise fermentation and distillation must take place in the province of Bolzano.
Can Südtiroler Zwetschgeler be aged?
It may mature in casks and other wooden vessels; caramel is allowed only after at least 12 months of ageing.
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
🥃 Fränkisches Zwetschgenwasser · 🥃 Țuică Zetea de Medieșu Aurit · 🥃 Sliwovitz trentino · 🥃 Slavonska šljivovica · 🥃 Quetsch d'Alsace · 🥃 Schwarzwälder Zwetschgenwasser
⚠️ 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 Zwetschgeler'/'Zwetschgeler dell'Alto Adige', Ref. Ares(2015)4244601 (English): plums (Prunus domestica) fermented in South Tyrol, distilled < 86 % vol. there; ripe plums, partially or fully stoned; methanol ≤ 1000, HCN ≤ 5, ethyl acetate and aldehydes < 250 g/hl a.a.; min. 40 % vol.; sugar ≤ 20 g/l; variety or area with ≥ 85 %; plum spirit tradition brought from the Balkans via Central European trade
- eAmbrosia (EU GI register), technical file 'Südtiroler Zwetschgeler'/'Zwetschgeler 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 Zwetschgeler/Zwetschgeler 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)