Schnapps

Fruit brandies are among South Tyrol's quality products and are repeatedly awarded international prizes. The brandies with 35 to 45 per cent alcohol by volume are mainly made from Williams pears, cherries, plums, apricots and apples, which are crushed for this purpose. With each sip, the aroma of the fruits becomes more intense on the tongue.

The success story of the well-known South Tyrolean Roner Distillery, for example, dates back to 1946, when Gottfried Roner opened his grappa distillery amidst the vineyards. The first drink produced here was the "Bauernschnaps" or "Treber" from the marc of the grape, the traditional South Tyrolean grappa. It ideally has a serving temperature of 16 degrees C and reaches up to 50 per cent alcohol by volume. It has been bearing the South Tyrolean quality mark since 2005.

Other specialities are the "Williams", one of the best-known fruit brandies, which is often given as a present. Because it has a special feature: a ripe pear in the bottle. In the past, the bottle was actually hung on the tree so that the pear could grow inside. Today, for hygiene and other reasons, the ripe pear is put in the bottle and the bottom of the bottle is glued and sealed afterwards. Various wineries and distilleries offer tastings of their own spirits and brandies.