🥃 Valais pear brandy (Eau-de-vie de poire du Valais)
Swiss clear spirit made only from Williams pears of the canton of Valais: protected designation of origin (AOP) since 2001, no column stills, from 40% ABV.
Valais pear brandy (Eau-de-vie de poire du Valais) is a Swiss clear strong spirit made only from Williams pears grown in the canton of Valais. It has held the Swiss protected designation of origin (AOP) since 2001. The pears are grown, fermented, distilled and bottled only in Valais, and the bottled strength is from 40% ABV.
History. The Williams variety came to Valais at the start of the 20th century, and the first spirit made only from these pears was distilled in 1945, from fruit unfit for sale fresh. The cantonal quality mark had been used for this spirit since 1963. The application was submitted by the Valais Chamber of Agriculture, and the federal office approved the registration on 7 November 2001.
Raw material and fermentation. Pears are picked at harvest ripeness and ripen in crates until they are yellow and juicy; the diameter must be at least 55 mm. The mash is prepared by 31 October, acidified with phosphoric or lactic acid to pH 2.8–3.2, and fermented at 15–25 °C. The mash may wait no longer than 8 months before distillation.
Distillation and bottling. Column stills are forbidden; the heads are redistilled, and the heart averages at least 60% ABV. Before bottling the spirit rests in vats for at least three months. Sugar up to 5 g/l is allowed, while flavourings and colourings are not. A whole Williams pear may be placed in the bottle.
Why this matters to you. The AOP mark guarantees Williams pears from Valais only and distillation without a column, while Williams pear spirit from other countries is made under other rules. This is a strong spirit. The WHO reminds us: there is no safe level of alcohol.
Facts
| Raw material | only Williams pears from the canton of Valais, at least 55 mm in diameter |
|---|---|
| Distillation method | batch stills; column stills forbidden; heart averages ≥ 60% ABV |
| Minimum maturation | 3 months in vats before bottling |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | from 40% ABV |
| Legal basis | Swiss AOP, Federal Office for Agriculture (BLW) decision of 07.11.2001 (amended 2014 and 2020) |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Valais pear brandy (Eau-de-vie de poire du Valais) → then → 🍷 Alcoholic fermentation ← goes through ← 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Next step
- 🍷 Alcoholic fermentation
- Packed in
- 🍷 Wine label
- What it contains
- 🍬 Sugar
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Part of
- 🥃 Poire Williams (Williams pear spirit), 🥃 Fruit spirit
- Related to
- 📍 Valais
- Similar and different
- 🍏 Cider spirit and perry spirit, 🥃 Vas wild pear pálinka (Vasi vadkörte pálinka), 🥃 Hohenloher Birnenbrand
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that any Swiss Williams pear spirit has AOP?
No. The name Eau-de-vie de poire du Valais AOP is held only by spirits made from Williams pears grown, fermented, distilled and bottled in the canton of Valais.
Which pears go into Valais pear brandy?
Only Williams pears from Valais, at least 55 mm in diameter, ripened in crates until yellow.
Since when has the name existed?
The federal office registered it on 7 November 2001; the specification was amended in 2014 and 2020.
Is sugar allowed?
Yes, but no more than 5 g/l. Flavourings and colourings are forbidden.
Why is there a whole pear in some bottles?
The specification allows a Williams pear to be placed in the bottle; technical means may be used to keep it intact before the spirit is poured in.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🍷 Alcoholic fermentation — Yeast eats the sugar in the must and releases alcohol and carbon dioxide.
- 🍷 Wine label — The sticker on a bottle: who made it, where from, the year and strength.
- 🍏 Cider spirit and perry spirit — Distilled cider or perry (EU category 10): from 37.5% vol., no flavourings; 9 protected names, calvados among them.
- 🥃 Vas wild pear pálinka (Vasi vadkörte pálinka) — Pálinka from wild pear of Vas and Zala counties: at least 75 % wild pear Pyrus pyraster, the rest 6 local varieties.
Similar
🥃 Normandy perry spirit (Eau-de-vie de poiré de Normandie) · 🥃 Hohenloher Birnenbrand · 🥃 Fränkischer Obstler · 🥃 Maine cider brandy (Eau-de-vie de cidre du Maine) · 🥃 Vas wild pear pálinka (Vasi vadkörte pálinka) · 🥃 Breton cider brandy (Eau-de-vie de cidre de Bretagne)
⚠️ 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
- BLW (Federal Office for Agriculture, Switzerland): Pflichtenheft «Eau-de-vie de poire du Valais» GUB/AOP, Verfügung vom 07.11.2001, geändert 27.05.2014 und 07.12.2020 (Williams only; Ø ≥ 55 mm; mash by 31 Oct, pH 2.8–3.2, 15–25 °C; storage ≤ 8 months; no column stills; heart ≥ 60 % vol.; ≥ 3 months in tanks; sugar ≤ 5 g/l; ≥ 40 % vol.)
- BLW: Résumé de la demande d'enregistrement de l'Eau-de-vie de poire du Valais (Berne, 07.11.2001; Williams since early 20th c.; first pure Williams spirit 1945; cantonal label since 1963)
- Association suisse des AOP-IGP: Eau-de-vie de poire du Valais AOP (registered 21.12.2001)
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)