Mostviertler Birnmost *

Traditional production of perry from local perry-pear varieties, using windfall fruits from local extensive orchards
 
Record number: 20
 
 
 
Disclosure date
Around 1240, first mention of perry by the minnesinger Neidhart von Reuenthal 
 

Photo: BMLFUW/A...

Title 
Mostviertler Birnmost
(Mostviertler perry) 
 
 
 
 
 
Abstract or claim
Traditional production of perry from local perry-pear varieties, using windfall fruits from local extensive orchards.
 
Name of product, product class
perry, fruit wine
 
Name of region
Mostviertel, Lower Austria, Austria
 
Field of search
Food and Agriculture
 
Name(s) of information provider
Regionalmanagement Mostviertel 
 
Names of applicant for title 
----
 
Holder of knowledge or associated resources
about 1000 family farms
 
Grantee(s), holder(s), assignee(s) or owner(s) of title, if any 
----
 
Descriptors
First mention of perry in this region by the minnesinger Neidhart von Reuenthal around 1240. An early description of the perry production in the Mostviertel region stems from Wolf Helmhard v. Hohberg, a country nobleman in Haag. The perry production prospered in the 18th/19th century and in the period between the two World Wars. Since the end of the 1980s a revival is to be seen.
Mostly, the pear trees are 100-150 years old and are typical “high-stem” fruit trees in extensive orchards.
Traditional perry-pear varieties are Pichelbirne, Amstettner Mostbirne, Dorschbirne, Honnelbirne,Speckbirne and Landlbirne.
The pears are windfall fruits which are picked from the ground, washed and chopped. Within 3- 6 weeks, the mash is fermented by adding selected yeasts.
“Mostviertler Birnmost” is traditionally produced without the addition of concentrated fruit juice or apple juice which is added in other regions of perry production.
“Mostviertler Birnmost” has to pass the sensory tests for the quality seal “Mostgütesiegel”.
A detailed description of the specification is given under http://www.mostviertel.at/birnmost.cfm 
 
Key words
Food and Agriculture, Traditional Knowledge, Austria, Lower Austria, region, Mostviertel, pear, perry, Pichelbirne, Amstettner Mostbirne, Dorschbirne, Honnelbirne,Speckbirne, Landlbirne, Mostviertler Birnmost
 
Bibliography/ References
Dictionary of Agriculture  „Georgica Curiosa oder Adeliges Land- und Feldleben“ (1682) 
http://www.mostviertel.at/birnmost.cfm
www.genuss-region.at 
 
Language code
German
 
Product of www.genuss-region.at  
yes
 
Regional contact 
Regionalmanagement Mostviertel
Gießhübl 7
3300 Amstetten/ Niederösterreich
Phone:07472/68 100
E-mail: www.mostviertel.at 
office@mostviertel.at
 
Authors: Mag. Eva Sommer, Dr. Erhard Höbaus
 
* revised version in preparation
 

09.11.2011, Lebensministerium III/4