The Wine Reference🍷 SupportBlack Forest: Kirschwasser (cherry eau-de-vie)
Photo: Hungry for Holiday on Unsplash
The Black Forest is famous for clear fruit brandies, above all Schwarzwälder Kirschwasser, a protected name.
How it's made
Fermented cherries, including the stones, are distilled and left unaged to keep pure fruit flavour.
Ripe black cherries are crushed and fermented whole, stones included, for several weeks. The mash is distilled in small copper pot stills, often with a column on top, and the distiller cuts out a clean heart. The stones give a light almond note.
History
Farmers in the Black Forest have distilled surplus cherries, plums and other fruit for centuries, often on small family stills. Kirschwasser became one of the region's best-known exports, and many small farm distilleries still work today.
Ageing and label terms
Most fruit brandies are rested in glass, stainless steel or old neutral containers so they stay clear and fruity. A few distillers age some batches in wood, which they name on the label.
Styles
Kirschwasser (cherry) is the classic, alongside Zwetschgenwasser (plum), Williams pear, Mirabelle and Himbeergeist (raspberry, made by macerating fruit in spirit before distilling). The region also now makes gin, led by Monkey 47.
Rules and protected names
Schwarzwälder Kirschwasser is a protected geographical indication in the EU, so it must come from the Black Forest. A 'Wasser' is distilled from fermented fruit, while a 'Geist' is made by macerating fruit in alcohol and redistilling.
How to serve and classic cocktails
Serve slightly chilled in a small tulip glass, not ice cold, so the fruit shows. Kirsch adds depth to cheese fondue and is splashed into Black Forest gâteau.
With food
Good after a rich meal, with cherry desserts, cheese fondue or dark chocolate.
Good to know
Fruit brandies are usually around 40–45% ABV. A good one smells strongly of the fruit but tastes dry, with no sweetness.
Producers
- Schladerer
- Scheibel
Bottles to try
Schladerer Kirschwasser
Clean cherry stone, marzipan and almond, dry finish.
Strength: 42% · Age and cask: Unaged
A cherry brandy made by the Schladerer family in Staufen im Breisgau since 1844. It is distilled from fermented whole cherries, stones included, which gives the almond note.
Serve: Neat, slightly chilled, after a meal
Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Dry Gin
Complex and aromatic: juniper, lingonberry, pine, citrus, pepper and flowers.
Strength: 47% · Age and cask: Unaged, rested in earthenware
Made in the Black Forest with 47 botanicals, many grown locally, including lingonberries and spruce shoots. It comes in a 50 cl brown apothecary-style bottle.
Serve: In a Martini or a G&T
Schladerer Himbeergeist
Intense, pure raspberry perfume on a dry, warming, crystal-clear spirit.
Age and cask: Unaged
A Geist: raspberries are macerated in neutral spirit then distilled, the method used for fruits too low in sugar to ferment; made by the family firm in Staufen since 1844.
Serve: Slightly chilled in a tulip glass after dinner
Ziegler No. 1 Wildkirsch
Intense wild cherry and marzipan with a fine bitter-almond finish.
Strength: 43%
Brennerei Ziegler in Freudenberg distils fruit brandies from wild and orchard fruit. No. 1 Wildkirsch, its flagship, is made from small wild cherries.
Serve: Neat in a tulip glass, slightly cool
More brandy regions
Explore all spirits in the interactive guide
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