Style

Südtiroler Marille is the Vinschgau's flagship brandy: crystal clear, with a bold nose of ripe apricot, warm and fruity on the palate. The specification for this protected designation describes it as crystal clear and transparent, with intense notes of ripe apricot.

Südtiroler Zwetschgeler has a distinct fruity nose, joined by a delicate hint of almond. On the palate it feels clean and refined, with an elegant, layered note of ripe plum flesh. The sweetness one seems to taste comes from the fruit's aroma, not from any added sugar as in a liqueur.

Südtiroler Kirsch is the third clear fruit brandy from these valleys, rounding out the trio alongside apricot and plum. All three look identical in the glass, and it's only the nose that reveals which fruit lies behind each one.

Südtiroler Enzian is the counterpoint to all this. It tastes earthy and bitter, with a herbal edge reminiscent of gentian bitters, but without any fruit sweetness. It's prized not for fruit character but for the root, which makes it a brandy for those who prefer things dry and herbaceous.

What's striking is how little the three brandies resemble one another, even though all come from fermented mash. The apricot brings warmth and fruit flesh, the Zwetschgeler freshness and almond, the gentian bitterness. Smell them side by side, and the differences are clear before the first sip. Maturation is brief for all three; it settles the brandy without adding color.

The difference from South Tyrol's Unterland lies in the fruit. There, pear, apple and pomace take center stage; here, it's apricot, plum, cherry and the root of the Great Yellow Gentian.