Eau De Vie

Question 1

Defenition

Answer 1

• pure distillation of fruit wines, with only water added to bring down alcohol
• no sugars, colorants, or additional flavorings allowed
• 37%-50%ABV
• means “water of life”
• also known as “alcohol blancs

Question 2

Raw Material

Answer 2

• Flavor heavily depends on ripeness of fruit
• fruit is crushed and fermented into 4-8%ABV
• non stone fruit macerate because of low sugar content

Question 3

Distillation

Answer 3

• single operation in copper or stainless stills

- tails frequently recycled and re distilled

Question 4

Esterification

Answer 4

• distilled eau de vie is placed in stainless steel container or glass demijohn
• few months to several years in a darkened room or cellar
• some oak aged eau de vie is offered as an alternative

Question 5

Eau De Vie Types

Answer 5

Aprickosengeist- from apricots and their kernels
Blaubeergeist- from blueberries
Coing- from quince
Himbeergeist(Framboise)- wild raspberries
Kirsch or Kirschwasser- from cherries and their pits
Mirabelle- from small yellow plums
Williamine or Poire William- Bartlett pears
Pfulmi- Swiss, from plums
Slivovitz- national spirit of Yugoslavia, slijva plum
Pear-In-The-Bottle (Poire Prisonnaire)