Description
The Wachauer Marille PDO is an apricot belonging to the Rosaceae family, Prunoideae subfamily and Prunus genus.
Production Area
The Wachauer Marille PDO production area lies in the following towns: Aggsbach-Markt, Albrechtsberg, Bergern im Dunkelsteinerwald, Dross, Dürnstein, Furth, Gedersdorf, Krems, Maria Laach, Mautern, Mühldorf, Paudorf, Rohrendorf bei Krems, Rossatz-Arnsdorf, Senftenberg, Spitz, Stratzing, Weinziel am Wald, Weißenkirchen, Schönbühel-Aggsbach, Emmersdorf located in the federal state of Lower Austria.
Production Method
The Wachauer Marille PDO grows on tall trees 3 m in height. The apricot, which is characterized by a very early flowering, enriched by shades of colour ranging from white to pink, prefers a dry climate and cool soil, and not too damp, especially in the critical stages of growth and ripening of the fruit. The apricots are grown in sunny areas close to the Danube. The manual harvesting requires a great deal of labour, which is why the growing area per farm is very limited. The staggered ripening of the fruits requires frequent intermediate picking (up to about five times per year). Only fruit that has reached full maturity is picked based on its shape and marketing (direct sales/retail).
Appearance and Flavour
The Wachauer Marille PDO has a yellow-orange colour, a sweet and slightly tart flavour, it is juicy and weighs between 45 and 60 gr. The high balance of sugar and acidity gives the fruit its typical aromatic characteristics.
History
The origins of Wachauer Marille PDO are linked to the farming history of apricot in Austria. The first written reference of the fruit with the name Maryln, which then evolved into Marille, dates back to 1509, however, its presence in the region is dated further back. It seems that the apricot tree, a native of China where its cultivation is known since 3000 B.C., arrived in Italy around 100 B.C. thanks to the Romans and it was probably in the same period that it was also introduced to the Austrian valley of Wachau. Over time the apricot became part of local tradition, as its presence in the gardens of Tyroleans homes testifies.
Gastronomy
Wachauer Marille PDO does not conserve well fresh being that it is a delicate and highly perishable fruit. However, storage of the processed fruit, dried, in syrup or in the form of marmalade is easier, even for long periods. This fruit is eaten fresh or dried, but is also widely used in the preparation of jams and fruit juices. Many specialties are also made with Wachauer Marille PDO, including apricot liqueur and a typical Austrian brandy. The famous Marilleknödel, typical apricots dumplings, are an actual institution in Austria.
Marketing
The product is sold as Wachauer Marille PDO and in many variations depending on the specific varieties. It is marketed in its natural state, or jam, fruit juice and distillate.
Distinctive Features
The incomparable aroma of Wachauer Marille PDO is due to large variations in temperature between day and night and to which the cultivation of apricots is subjected, especially during the ripening period.
