Description
Geographical Indication Südtiroler Williams and/or Williams dell’Alto Adige is exclusively reserved to the fruit spirit obtained from Williams pears fermented in the Province of Südtirol/Alto Adige, distilled and diluted in plants located in the above mentioned geographical area.
Production Area
The production area of Südtiroler Williams GI and/or Williams dell’Alto Adige GI is produced within the entire territory of the Autonomous Province of Südtirol/Alto Adige.
Production Method
The fruit spirit Südtiroler Williams GI and/or Williams dell’Alto Adige GI is obtained from the must Williams pears, fermented and distilled - in continuous or batch plant – with direct heat or indirect vapour after the addition of water in the pot still. The ripening of the fruit particularly affects both the taste and the aroma of the spirit. Moreover, distillers from South Tyrol have developed a technology that ensures the uniform ripening of the Williams pears. Grinding, fermentation, distillation, reduction of the alcoholic degree as well as the eventual aging must take place in the geographical area Südtirol / Alto Adige. The distillation of the fermented product should be carried out at less than 86% by volume. Within this limit the obtained product may be re-distilled. In the production process of the Südtiroler Williams GI and/or Williams dell’Alto Adige GI is allowed the addition of sugars, up to a maximum of 20 grams per litre. link with the territoryThe uniqueness of Südtiroler Williams GI and/or Williams dell’Alto Adige GI fruit spirit is given to the choice of raw materials and the traditional production techniques of the area, which is characterized - among other things - by the uniform post-harvest ripening of Williams pears; the even grinding process; the medium-low fermentation temperature typical of the Südtirol/Alto Adige area.
Product Characteristics
The fruit spirit Südtiroler Williams GI and/or Williams dell’Alto Adige GI is exclusively obtained from the must of Williams pears (Pyrus communis L. c.v. Williams) fermented and distilled both directly and by water vapour. 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. Flavouring is not allowed. The reduction of the alcoholic degree has to be made by using the water of the Autonomous Province of Südtirol/Alto Adige. In fact, this water is full of minerals due to the peculiar geological formation of the mountains of the area affecting the flavour and the taste of the spirit drink. It can be subjected to the ageing process in wooden containers traditionally known as Lagelen.
Legislative information
Geographical Indication Südtiroler Williams and/or Williams dell’Alto Adige 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 Südtiroler Williams GI and/or Williams dell’Alto Adige GI technical file is contained in the Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies decree of July 31, 2014 (published in the Italian Official Journal n. 186 of August 12, 2014).
