Wachauer Marillenbrand

Traditionally produced apricot spirit drink from Wachauer Marille PDO (Wachauer apricots PDO) in the region Wachau, Lower Austria.
 
Record Number: 46
 
Disclosure Date
In 1509, first mention of “apricots” in the Wachau area (Starhembergisches Archiv, Eferding).

Photo: Kulinari...

Title
Wachauer Marillenbrand
(Wachauer apricot spirit) 
 
 
 
 
 
Abstract or claim
Traditionally produced apricot spirit drink from Wachauer Marille PDO (Wachauer apricots PDO) in the region Wachau, Lower Austria.
 
Name of product, product class
Spirit drinks
 
Name of region
Wachau valley, Lower Austria, Austria
 
Field of search
Agriculture and Spirit drinks  
 
Name of information provider
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Name of applicant for title
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Holder of knowledge or associated resources
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Grantee(s), holder(s),
assignee(s) or owner(s) of title, if any
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Descriptors
  
- History:
The name “Marille” for apricots can be traced back to the year 1509. The cultivation of local apricot varieties in the famous wine growing area of the Wachau was triggered by the devastation of vineyards by phylloxera around 1890. Since then, apricot growing has been an important industry in this region.
 
- Region:
Wachau valley in Lower Austria (Wachau - Mautern - Krems) as defined in EC Regulation No 1107/96 OJ. L 148/1ff/96 for Wachauer Marille PDO.
 
- Wachauer Marille g.U. (Wachau apricots PDO):
Wachauer apricots PDO stem mainly from the local variety “Klosterneuburger Marille”. The cone-shaped fruits are medium-sized and weigh 45 to 60 g.  Their skin is honey- yellow coloured and half or more of it is reddened, often with brown or red patches.
The fruits have high pectin, acid and sugar contents. 
Apricot trees are most commonly cultivated as trees with one metre high stems, with a round, pyramid-shaped or hollow crown.
 
The apricots are harvested manually, which is very labour-intensive, and limits the cultivation area per farm.
The fruits’ pattern of ripening means that frequent harvesting is required, up to 5 times a year, with only tree-ripe or fully ripe fruits being picked on each occasion depending on the form of marketing (direct sale/ wholesale).
 
The unique quality of the Wachauer Marille PDO is the result of the regional climate and soil and of a century of cultivation (selection and combination of varieties and the grafting stock used). The coincidence of various climates (Pannonic Basin and Waldviertel, closeness to the Danube - the so called “aroma belt”), together with the great differences between daytime and nighttime temperatures, particularly at the time when apricots are ripening, has a direct effect on the taste, the aroma and the nutrient content of the fruit. In addition to its commercial value, apricot farming in the Wachau is also very important for tourism. As the spring landscape is characterised by wide expanses of flowering apricot trees.
 
- Utilization:
Wachauer Marille PDO are either sold as fresh fruit or processed to apricot jam, fruit nectar, apricot liqueur and apricot brandy (apricot spirit drink).
 
Crucial requirements for the production of “Wachauer Marille PDO” are the optimal harvesting time, the perfect ripeness of the fruits, the removal of the stones, and the perfect fermentation of the mash.
The traditional knowledge about the best way to distil the mash results in unique spirit drinks with decent, sweet aroma. The flavour can resemble bitter almonds, anise, hay, chocolate, quince, pears, roses, and jasmine.
 
The mash yields about 7 litres of ethyl alcohol/100l (37.5 – 45% vol. ethyl alcohol)
 
- Protection:
Wachauer Marillenbrand (Wachauer apricot spirit) is protected for the geographical area of Wachau/Lower Austria in Codex Alimentarius Austriacus Chapter B 23: Spirits. Annex 1: Protected Designations 
 
Council Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92. Application for Registration: Art 17, PDO (National application reference No 1233-GR/95)
 
Key words
Agriculture and Spirit drinks, Traditional Knowledge, Austria, Lower Austria, region, Wachau, Mautern, Krems, Wachauer Marille, apricot, Wachauer apricot PDO, apricot spirit drink, apricot brandy, Prunus armeniaca L.
 
Bibliography/ References
- Codex Alimentarius Austriacus Chapter B 23: Spirits. Annex 1: Protected Designations.
- Eppel, F. Die Wachau, Nibelungen- und Strudengau. Band 2. Verlag St. Peter Reinhard Dippelreither.
  Wachauer Marille. 1989 Pichler Verlag. ISBN: 3854311621
- Marille=Aprikose 
  http://www.zauser.at/schnaps/sorten/Marille.shtm 
- Obstbrände 
  http://www.schnapsnase.at/lexikon/lexikonobst.html 
- Original Bailoni Wachau 
  http://www.bailoni.at/ 
- Agriculture Quality Policy- Wachauer Marille 
  http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/qual/en/2_en.htm 
- Die Wachauer Marille
  www.wachauermarille.at 
- Wachauer Marille
  www.genuss-region.at  
 
Language code
German
 
Product of www.genuss-region.at 
No
 
Regional contact
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Authors: Eva Sommer, Dr. Erhard Höbaus
 

09.11.2011, Lebensministerium III/4