Description
Geographical Indication Distillato di mele Trentino or Distillato di mele del Trentino is exclusively reserved to the apple brandy obtained from apples produced and processed in the Autonomous Province of Trento, and distilled and bottled in plants located within the same Autonomous Province.
Production Area
The production area of Distillato di mele Trentino GI or Distillato di mele del Trentino GI is within the entire territory of the Autonomous Province of Trento.
Production Method
The fruit spirit Distillato di mele Trentino GI or Distillato di mele del Trentino GI is obtained by the distillation of the fermented puree in batch plants, even after the addition of water in the pot. It may be also obtained through a continuous process of distillation. The distillation of the fermented puree, as well the re-distillation of phlegms - in continuous or batch plants - should be carried out at less than 86% by volume, so that the distilled product can preserve the aroma and taste of the distilled raw materials. In the production process of the Distillato di mele Trentino GI or Distillato di mele del Trentino GI is allowed the addition of the whole fruit or of some parts of it, as well as the addition of sugars, up to a maximum of 20 g per litre, expressed as invert sugar.
Product Characteristics
The fruit spirit Distillato di mele Trentino GI or Distillato di mele del Trentino GI is exclusively obtained by alcoholic fermentation and distillation of apples (Malus communis). To be released for consumption, the minimum alcoholic strength by volume shall be 40%. No addition of ethyl alcohol, whether diluted or not, shall take place. Flavors are not allowed. It can be subjected to the ageing process in wooden containers, under official controls, in plants located in the geographical area of production.
Link with the territory
The art of distillation in the Trentino area has ancient origins and it has always been considered an important activity as testified by laws and regulations issued by public authorities since the end of the Seventeenth century; for example, the Proclama in materia de vini, vernazze et aquevite forastieri issued on August 7th 1697 by the Consular Magistrate of Trento in order to combat smuggling, or the 1757 Regulation on the provisions to be observed in the Magnificent Community of the Vicarage of Cembra. As well as the distillation of grape marc aimed at producing Grappa, also the distillation of fruits has always been very common. Fruits most used were those from which the cider is obtained (like apples or pears). In fact, cider was the substitute of the wine in the areas where the vines were not cultivated. After the Second World War, the art of distilling fruits took off the ground also thanks to the abundance of raw materials and the creation of the new method of distilling Tullio Zadra.
Legislative information
Geographical Indication Distillato di mele Trentino or Distillato di mele del Trentino is registered in the Annex III of Regulation (EC) n. 110/2008 on the definition, description, presentation, labelling and the protection of Geographical Indications of spirit drinks and repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No 1576/89 (published in the Official Journal of the EU of 13 February 2008; L. 39) as modified by the Reg. (EC) 1067/2016 and by Reg. 674/2019. Notwithstanding the entry in force of the new Reg. UE 787/2019 which is replacing Reg. 110/2008 and that applies to GIs from 8 june 2019, Annex III still stand until the creation of GI’s Register referred to in article 33 of the new law. Generally, article 24 paragraph 1 of Regulation 787/2019 provides that for every Geographical Indication has to be presented a technical file containing requirements requested by article 24 itself. In Italy the approval and presentation procedure of technical files is defined by Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies decree of May 13, 2010. The Distillato di mele Trentino GI or Distillato di mele del Trentino GI technical file is contained in the Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies decree of November 28, 2014 (published in the Italian Official Journal n. 287 of December 11, 2014).
