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November 14, 2007

Apfelwein Makers Fight to Keep their Name

Hesse is fighting not to have to rename its Apfelwein, shown here with all the traditional trappings in the type of jug and glass commonly used to serve the cider-like beverage in a Frankfurt Apfelwein-Kneipe pub. Photo: dpa

In a desire to safeguard their specialties, different European regions have taken their cases to the European Union to receive official designation for their traditional products (think Parma and parma ham, for instance). The efforts of Europe's wine manufacturers to denote the naming of their product, however, has Germany's Apfelwein manufacturers up in arms.

An alcoholic apple drink akin to cider in the UK or Ireland, Apfelwein (literally "apple wine") is especially enjoyed in the Frankfurt area in the southwestern state of Hesse. Yet a proposal before the European Commission, the EU's Brussels-based executive body, would designate the word "wine" exclusively for grape products, forcing the Hessians to change the name of their traditional drink.

The conflict has even drawn in Germany's Agricultural Minister Horst Seehofer, who has pledged to strive to keep the name Apfelwein.

Although most commonly referred to as Apfelwein, the refreshing tangy and slightly sour drink is also known as Ebbelwoi and Apfelmost. It's drunk in the traditional old taverns in Frankfurt and eaten with the local specialty Handkäs mit Musik, a pungent round cheese traditionally topped with onion and caraway seeds, or Grüne Sosse mit Kartoffeln, a chilled cream-based sauce blended with myriad fresh green herbs and served over potatoes and/or meat.

The Ebbelwei-Express is a fun tourist attraction in Frankfurt - it consists of one tram line that circles the center of the city and features old-fashioned tram cars staffed by 'waiters' who serve guests Apfelwein and snacks such as pretzels - a great gemütliche way to see the city while enjoying the local beverage of choice.

Taking a cue from the tourist tram's cute name, if the beverage itself were officially changed to Ebbelwoi or Ebbelwei - a regional term of endearment for the drink derived from the local dialect - then the whole issue of whether it could be called Apfelwein or not would become moot ... food - or liquid - for thought! (TWIG/www.young-germany.de)

Links:

German National Tourist Office (GNTO)

City of Frankfurt

Ebbelwei-Express

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