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Limomacher: Regionally produced – socially labelled

Limomacher is a young Bregenz enterprise, according to their own definition “excellent in graphics, design, customer service, lemonade production, social involvement and coffee drinking”. However, a look at the brief biographies of the four-person team reveals quite a bit about their wide-ranging qualifications. All lemonades are produced regionally in Vorarlberg according to their own recipes. Short pathways right up until labelling – also labels for private customers and companies on request – reinforce sustainability, along with filling exclusively in glass bottles. The labelling, as well as the whole warehousing, are handled by Lebenshilfe Vorarlberg, a support organisation for people with disabilities. This is an indication that social thinking has been of great importance from the beginning.

At the beginning of 2018, the ‘Franz von Durst’ brand started in Spar shops, followed by the start-up shelf at Metro. The company developed a gin along with a tonic water for this purpose, as the first manufacturer in retailing that offers both as a one-stop shop. The gin that is also regionally produced goes perfectly with the tonic water and its animating and aromatic concept offers an exceptionally fruity drinking experience. Aside from the juniper base, five further botanicals play a role: angelica root provides a slight tanginess and supports the homogenous taste; orange peel is characterised by a range of aromatic substances and a fine hint of citrus; liquorice provides a complex sweetness with a slightly earthy note; elderberry has an intensive and refreshing taste; and hops gives it a special something.

“We are delighted that the Vorarlberg locals have received our gin so well and that we can expand step by step also into other provinces,” say the two young entrepreneurs.

At the World Spirits Award, gold was achieved by Franz von Durst Gin, and silver by Franz von Durst Dry Gin Wild.

Semper idem Underberg: A successful recipe with its own brands

The Underberg company is based in Rheinberg in North Rhine-Westphalia and has a history dating back more than 175 years – a unique success story among German companies and brands. Hubert Underberg (I) founded the company H. Underberg-Albrecht with his wife, Catharina Albrecht, on 17 June 1846 – their wedding day. This spawned an internationally active company group which is now a premium supplier of drinks brands in various market segments of the industry.

The one-product company was developed into a brand-oriented drinks business under the direction of Emil Underberg (II) with a sales volume of more than 300 million euros annually (2011). The Underberg companies employ over 400 staff worldwide. On average, more than every fourth bottle of the six biggest brands (Underberg, Asbach, PITÚ, XUXU, Grasovka and Riemerschmid) is sold outside of Germany.

Dr. Paul Underberg, the grandson of the company’s founder, was very cosmopolitan and had a natural passion for foreign cultures. He was particularly fascinated by the healing power of plants from the Amazon region. In 1933, he settled in Rio de Janeiro and started the production of ‘Underberg do Brasil’, which soon became Brazilian high society’s preferred drink.

At the World Spirits Award, there was double gold for Bio Underberg (World Spirits Award 2022 & Spirit of the Year 2022), and gold for Underberg.

Azienda Agricola Patea: A passion for bergamot

The family enterprise Patea was founded in 2007 after 20 years of experience in the fruit and vegetable sector and has specialised in the processing and marketing of citrus fruits, especially bergamot. Today the second generation is present on national and international markets, also driven by a passion for the regional speciality bergamot, with the aim of adding value once again to their famous resources.

The first amaro of the PRODUCT OF PATEA line is made in Brancaleone in the region of Calabria, exclusively using local raw ingredients. Traditionally a 40-day infusion in steel containers is followed by an alcohol reduction to 28 volume percent. The maceration of the three basic ingredients – wild teasel, bergamot and blueberry – activates the extraction of the bitter substances, making the end product promote digestion.

Cynara cardunculus is a type of wild artichoke with an intense taste. It is widespread in central and southern Italy, especially in Calabria, where both the leaves and the little blossoms are popular. Citrus Bergamia, the ‘family passion’, is a typical, unique citrus fruit in the region. The peel of the bergamot enriched with alcohol has a striking fragrance. Patea has always been involved in research, production and processing and would like to position amaro as a symbol of the region. Many blueberry plantations have been laid in recent years, and are used to support local products.

At the World Spirits Award, gold was awarded to Amaro Cardus Digestivo.