Photo via: https://spirits.eu/
The world just gained another geographical indication for spirits (as defined and protected by the European Union), and this makes for a total of 256!
The new spirit—technically classified as a fruit spirit, although Americans might be tempted to refer to it as apple and pear brandy—is know as Osttiroler Pregler. In plain language, it is an apple-and-pear distillate produced in the East Tyrol, Austria.
As is expected of a product protected by a geographical indication, there is a lengthy list of rules and regulations that must be followed in order for a product to be awarded the name of Osttiroler Pregler GI. These include the following:
- It must be fermented and distilled in the political region of Lienz (East Tyrol), from fruit grown within the defined region.
- The allowed base ingredients include apples and pears. In some cases, locally grown plums may also be included.
- It must be bottled at a minimum of 40% abv.
- It must be dry; sugar may be present only to a maximum level of 4 g/L.
- It must be clear and colorless in appearance.
- The newly distilled spirit must be aged for a minimum of four weeks in inert (stainless steel or glass) containers; oak contact of any kind is prohibited.
- The predominant aroma and flavor must be of apples; pear flavors must remain in the background. Other background aromas and flavors typical include flowers, banana, apple peel, dried pear, and (if plums are used) almond.
East Tyrol (German: Osttirol)—sometimes known as “the roof of Austria—is tucked into the Central Eastern Alps and contains the highest mountains in the country. The region includes Austria’s highest peak—the Grossglockner—topping out at 12,461 feet/3,798 meters above sea level). The region includes the district of Lienz as well as the market town of Matrei in Osttirol. The name Osttirol—referring to the mountains of Tyrol—is included in the geographical indication of the new product (which may be referred to as simply Pregler or Osttiroler Pregler.
Fruit orchards—including apples, pears, and plums—are traditional to East Tyrol. Literature proclaiming the beauty of the produce of Lienz dates back as far 1588, when the poem Der fürstlichen Grafschaft Tyrol Landtreim (Rhyme of the Princely County of Tyrol) extolled the quality of the apples of the region.
Welcome to the world, Osttiroler Pregler!
References/for more information:
- Commission Implementing Regulation-EU Journal-Osttiroler Pregler
- Technical File – Osttiroler Pregler
- https://www.pubaffairsbruxelles.eu/agriculture-the-commission-approves-new-geographical-indication-from-austria-eu-commission-press/
- https://www.osttirol.com/en/discover-and-experience/culinary-delights/osttiroler-pregler/
Post authored by Jane A. Nickles…your blog administrator: jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org