Description
The Genziana Trentina or Genziana del Trentino Geographical Indication is reserved exclusively for the spirit drink obtained through the distillation of fermented gentian roots produced and processed in the autonomous province of Trento, and processed and bottled in establishments situated in the same area.
Production Area
The production area of Genziana Trentina GI or Genziana del Trentino GI is within the entire territory of the autonomous Province of Trento.
Production Method
Genziana Trentina GI or Genziana del Trentino GI is obtained through the batch distillation of fermented gentian roots, after water has been added to the alembic still. The distillation of the alcoholic ferment and redistillation of the phlegms must be carried out at less than 86% ABV so that the distilled product has the aroma and taste of the raw material. The obtained product can only be redistilled within this limit. The addition of sugars, up to a maximum of 20 g per litre, expressed as invert sugar, is permitted during the production process of Genziana Trentina GI or Genziana del Trentino GI.
Product Characteristics
Genziana Trentina GI or Genziana del Trentino GI is obtained through the distillation of fermented gentian roots (Gentiana lutea L.), with or without the addition of ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin. The liqueur has a characteristic aroma, a slightly bitter taste, and is not aromatised. It has a minimum alcohol content of 40% ABV and can be aged in wooden barrels, vats or other wooden recipients, subject to rigorous controls, in establishments situated in the autonomous Province of Trento.
Link with the territory
As evidenced by several historical documents, the production of Gentian liqueur is an old tradition in the Trentino area. The procedure for obtaining this distillate was invented over 150 years ago, thanks to the patient and laborious experimentation of a family from Borzago (a district of Spiazzo in the Rendena Valley), at a company registered at Trento’s Chamber of Commerce since 1849.
Legislative information
The Genziana Trentina or Genziana del Trentino Geographical Indication is registered in Annex III of Regulation (EC) No. 110/2008 on the definition, description, presentation, labelling and protection of Geographical Indications of spirit drinks and repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No. 1576/89 (published in the OJEU L. 39 of 13.02.2008), as modified by EC Reg. 1067/2016 and Reg. 674/2019. Notwithstanding the entry into force of the new EU Reg. 787/2019, which repeals Reg. 110/2008 and – as far as GIs are concerned – has been applied since 8 June 2019, Annex III will continue to apply until the creation of the GI Register referred to in art. 33 of the new regulation. Generally, article 24, paragraph 1 of Regulation 787/2019 states that for every single Geographical Indication a technical file containing the requirements set out in the same article must be presented to the European Commission. The technical file for Genziana Trentina GI or Genziana del Trentino GI is contained in the decree issued by the Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies decree on 15 December 2014 (published in the Italian Official Journal no. 299 of 27.12. 2014).
