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Nobilis Pálinka – Hungarian tradition paired with innovative technology

The Vértes Mountains are located in the north-west of Hungary at the heart of the Transdanubian region. The southern slopes of the mountains are home to a Mediterranean-like climate. The Nobilis ‘Pálinka farm’ extends over 300 hectares close to rural villages and protected natural forests. The production of Pálinka has been regulated by law since 2008. Beverages can only be labelled as Pálinka if they are made from fruits picked in Hungary and if both the fermentation and distillation also take place in this country.

Kristóf Nobilis manages a team of ‘maximalists’ who work at the ultra-modern plant, applying the highest levels of precision craftsmanship. Only the best quality raw materials are used to make the distillates and at least 2.5 kg of fruit (primarily apricots, plums, pears, apples and sour cherries) are used to make just one bottle. The water used to ensure the optimal alcohol content comes from the Vértesalja karst spring. The first series of Nobilis schnapps was bottled in 2010 and bears the symbol 10n.

The innovative company is also renowned for its special ‘Pálinka Dispenser’ which was installed in the VIP lounge at Budapest airport as part of Hungary’s EU presidency. This presented an opportunity for members of the international delegations to relax with a glass of ‘Pálinka’ after a busy day’s work and get to know Hungarian traditions in the form of these aromatic fruit brandies. The male visitors favoured the plum version while the women preferred the peach.

The Pálinka products also found favour with the jury at the World Spirits Award. The company was classed as a Master Class Distillery 2014. There was gold for the Plum and Grape Irsai Olivier, and silver for the Pear Williams Yellow, Quince, Cherry Sour and Apricot.

Gut Schwechow - Fruit from the estate's own plantations

This manor is located 40 kilometres south-west of Schwerin, in the Mecklenburg Elbetal nature park, and has a history dating back hundreds of years. At the start of the 1990s, Gut Schwechow was taken over by beverage entrepreneur Richard Hartinger and re-gained its historic size of around 1,100 hectares through land purchasing. In addition to the agricultural activities which take place here, the site is also home to a fruit distillery, farm shop, training workshop for fruit juice technicians, a fruit must museum and much more to support the positive future development of the company.

Gourmets will find everything their heart desires at the farm shop: speciality sausages and meats from animals reared or hunted on site, freshly caught eels, trout and char from the site's own lakes, fruit jams, preserves and honey, as well as a wide selection of alcohol-free drinks, liqueurs, spirits and brandies. The crowning glory of the range are the Schwechower fruit brandies which are distilled in the first licensed distillery in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

The raw materials grow here in one of the oldest fruit-growing regions of Germany. The apple brandy made from three varieties is a regional speciality that comes from the company's own plantations in the Elbtalaue region. Similarly, only the very best home-grown fruits are used for the yellow plum, cherry and prune brandies. The climate in western Mecklenburg is influenced by the Baltic Sea and is characterised by alternating cool nights and warm days which gives the fruit a striking aroma when combined with the long maturing time. Pineapple, banana and carambola from the company's own plantations in Costa Rica add a dose of exotic flavour. Premium products made from rosehip, rowanberry, service tree and wild cherry fall under the "Platinum" label and are sold in hand-blown bottles.

The apple brandies were awarded gold at the World-Spirits Award, as was the sour cherry. The pear and yellow plum brandies received silver, and likewise the blackthorn and sea buckthorn spirits.

Rhumerie de Chamarel - Rhumerie de Chamarel – A newcomer with vision

This high-quality rum from the island of Mauritius is produced in line with ecological guidelines. The products are distributed in Austria by the company Wind GmbH, based in Traiskirchen (www.wind-plast.at).

The road leads through extensive pineapple plantations and fields of sugar cane up to the distillery at an altitude of 300 m in the South-West of the island. Designed by a renowned architect, the building is elegant and authentic and a fine example of modern construction with its natural materials such as wood, stone and water. The comprehensive concept also incorporates the L’Alchimiste restaurant where up to 80 guests can savour the sophisticated regional cuisine. At the “Sugar Cane Spirit” boutique, various types of rum are on offer (White Rum, Le Coeur de Chauffe (fine brandy), Rum Paille (stored in wooden casks), Rum Arrange (flavoured with fruits and spices) as well as an exclusive clothing range, hand-made products and a small jewellery collection.

The location and climate of the fertile valley promote the growth and quality of the sugarcane. The sugarcane is harvested by hand in the early hours of the morning and processed at the mill within four hours. The fields are not normally burnt, as is usually the case, to make harvesting easier. Even when distilling at the highest modern levels of technology, nothing is wasted: the bagasse – the fibrous remnants of the sugar production process – is burnt to obtain energy. The chimney contains the very latest smoke filters and the ash is used to fertilise the fields.

The company yet again impressed at the World-Spirits Award, with one gold and four silvers.