Description
The Südtiroler Enzian and/or Genziana dell’Alto Adige Geographical Indication is reserved exclusively for the spirit drink obtained through the distillation of fermented gentian roots (Gentiana lutea L.), with the possible addition of ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin, and distilled and diluted in establishments located in the autonomous province of the Südtirol/Alto Adige.
Production Area
The production area of Südtiroler Enzian GI and/or Genziana dell’Alto Adige GI is within the entire territory of the autonomous Province of Bolzano.
Production Method
The fruit spirit Südtiroler Enzian GI and/or Genziana dell’Alto Adige GI is obtained through the distillation of fermented gentian roots (fresh or dried), with the addition of ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin. The continuous or batch distillation can be carried out with direct steam, direct heat, or indirect steam after water has been added to the alembic still, with the separation of the heads and tails. Südtiroler Enzian GI and/or Genziana dell’Alto Adige GI is produced with at least 10 kg of dried or fresh roots of Gentiana lutea L. per hectolitre of absolute alcohol. The grinding, fermentation, distillation, reduction of the alcohol content and any ageingprocesses must take place in the autonomous Province of Südtirol/Alto Adige. The distillation of the ferment must be carried out at less than 86% ABV. The obtained product can only be redistilled within this limit. The addition of sugars, up to a maximum of 20 g per litre, expressed as invert sugar, is permitted during the production process of Südtiroler Enzian GI and/or Genziana dell’Alto Adige GI.
Product Characteristics
Südtiroler Enzian GI and/or Genziana dell’Alto Adige GI is obtained exclusively from fermented gentian roots (Gentiana lutea L.) which are distilled over direct heat or through water vapour with the addition of ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin. The spirit is not aromatised and has a minimum alcohol content of 40% ABV. The alcohol content is reduced with potable water from the autonomous Province of Südtirol/Alto Adige; softened water from the same province may also be used, although it cannot be demineralized. The water in the Province of Südtirol/Alto Adige has a very high content of mineral salts due to the particular geological formation of the mountains, and these influence the aroma and taste of the spirit drink. It can be aged in wooden barrels, vats or other wooden recipients traditionally known as Lagelen.
Link with the territory
The unique characteristics of Südtiroler Enzian GI lies in the choice of raw materials, in the fact that the autonomous Province of Südtirol/Alto Adige – the only area it is produced in – is of high environmental value, as well as in the secular experience of the “master distillers” and the continuous improvement of the production cycle.
Legislative information
The Südtiroler Enzian and/or Genziana dell’Alto Adige Geographical Indication is registered in Annex III of Regulation (EC) No. 110/2008 on the definition, description, presentation, labelling and protection of Geographical Indications of spirit drinks and repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No. 1576/89 (published in the OJEU L. 39 of 13.02.2008), as modified by EC Reg. 1067/2016 and Reg. 674/2019. Notwithstanding the entry into force of the new EU Reg. 787/2019, which repeals Reg. 110/2008 and – as far as GIs are concerned – has been applied since 8 June 2019, Annex III will continue to apply until the creation of the GI Register referred to in art. 33 of the new regulation. Generally, article 24, paragraph 1 of Regulation 787/2019 states that for every single Geographical Indication a technical file containing the requirements set out in the same article must be presented to the European Commission. The technical file for Südtiroler Enzian GI and/or Genziana dell’Alto Adige GI is contained in the decree issued by the Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies on 31 July 2014 (published in the Italian Official Journal no. 185 of 11.08.2014).
