Until recently, France had a policy whereby owners of fruit trees were allowed to distill twenty liters of alcohol at 50% ABV without having to pay tax. Most people living in the country had pear and plum trees whose bounty they would ferment after the harvest, then bring to the town square in the fall where a traveling distiller would pass it through his alambic and convert it into alcohol. This alcohol served as the basis for homemade apéritifs, the preservation of pruneau or as an after dinner digestif. Unfortunately, this tradition is dying as the government now wants the tax revenue from alcohol and is now charging people a rate that makes it less expensive to buy a professionally distilled product at the store than to do it oneself.
While the production of eau de vie was once widespread all over France, many of the specialists are now based in Alsace, and this region along the French / German border has become the country's most highly regarded eau de vie region. This incredibly picturesque region produces great white wines from a series of grand cru vineyards that lie along the foothills of the Vosges mountains. Fruit trees are also abundant in the region, and the distillation of stone fruits dates back several centuries.
Jean-Paul Metté
Jean-Paul Metté grew up in one of these orchard-abundant Alsatian villages, Ribeauvillé, with distilled pear and kirsch stored in bottles of various sizes around the house. In fact, the village distiller in Ribeauvillé lived just up the road from his parents’ house. Jean-Paul would hang out with the old man while he distilled, passing the winter months warmed by the fire of the alambic while slowly learning the art of distillation. He eventually learned what base materials would create the most concentrated, flavorful distillates.
Ribeauvillé is about a 25 minute drive north of Colmar.
In the 1960’s, Jean-Paul decided to purchase an alambic and set off on his own. He scoured the Alsatian countryside and contracted the fruit from trees of local farmers. He took care to collect the fruit from the ground in small, wooden boxes and then let them further ripen in the dry, open air. The fruit was fermented with no added sugar or concentrate and only with its natural yeast. In the distillery, Metté felt most comfortable in front of his alambic as the colorless, aroma-rich eau de vie trickled from the still. "Everything comes alive when you are distilling," he said. "If you don't put your heart and soul into it, the results are worthless."
In the early 1970’s, Jean-Paul had an epiphany: if he could distill mirabelle, poire, raspberry and cherry, why not condense the essences of other elements and put them through the still as well. Here began the distiller's journey that would eventually establish Metté as the most heralded eau de vie producer in the world. Everything was fair game for him: wild strawberry, mullein flower, orange, banana, coffee, rosemary, thyme, pepper, ginger, truffle--even pine needles!
Philippe Traber with some strawberries he will soon distill.
Without a child to take over his craft, Metté began passing on the art of distilling to his godson Philippe Traber in 1985. He taught him all the secrets that made every distillery unique. In 1997, Metté's health went into decline and Philippe and his wife Nathalie purchased the distillery to carry on Jean-Paul's work and traditions.
Timothée et Nathalie Traber.
The reputation of Mette's bottled wonders expanded even higher. After thousands of distillations, in 2018 Philippe Traber unfortunately passed away unexpectedly at just 54 years old. The couple's son, Timothée, after having studied 2 years in Reims and 3 years at the University of Beijing, moved to Hong Kong where he worked as a wine and spirits agent. In 2016, he founded a spirits import and distribution company to supply hotels, bars, and restaurants in Hong Kong. After the sudden death of Philippe, Timothée decided to return to the family's beautiful distillery in Alsace whose reputation had become cemented in nearly all continents. He naturally took over the reins of the small distillery, aided by his mother Nathalie. Once he had his feet settled, he married his long-term girlfriend Hanna Ellis, an American originally from Arizona.
Mette's spirits are renowned throughout the world, thanks to the extremely wide range of eaux de vie produced and, above all, to their exceptional quality. More than 87 flavors of high-quality eaux de vie and 21 liqueurs are available. These are featured prominently in Michelin-starred restaurants throughout Europe and to this day they set the bar for all other producers of eaux de vie in the world.
Production Methods
The fruit arrives at the distillery in temperature controlled trucks. The fruit is crushed, then fermented in fiberglass tanks. Once complete, the fruit mash is distilled in one of three copper pot stills (of 100, 140, and 150 liter capacities.) These fruit stills have a copper tub surrounded by a water bath that heats the fruit mash indirectly and prevents fruit solids from sticking against the tub. The eau de vie is distilled twice: the initial distillation is heavily laden with impurities and exits the still around 20% alcohol. The second distillation sees this liquid go through the still again and come out at 70% alcohol, but this time the heads and tails (with volatile esters or heavy fusel oils) are removed, leaving only the heart or purest part of the distillate.
The fruit arrives at the distillery in temperature controlled trucks. The fruit is crushed, then fermented in fiberglass tanks. Once complete, the fruit mash is distilled in one of three copper pot stills (of 100, 140, and 150 liter capacities.) These fruit stills have a copper tub surrounded by a water bath that heats the fruit mash indirectly and prevents fruit solids from sticking against the tub. The eau de vie is distilled twice: the initial distillation is heavily laden with impurities and exits the still around 20% alcohol. The second distillation sees this liquid go through the still again and come out at 70% alcohol, but this time the heads and tails (with volatile esters or heavy fusel oils) are removed, leaving only the heart or purest part of the distillate.
Fermentation and holding tanks within the distillery.
The fruit stills, a form of bains maries, that will transform the crushed fruit into eau de vie.
After distillation, the eau de vie is put into stainless steel vats where it will rest for the next 6 to 8 years. As the fluctuation in temperature helps improve the quality and complexity of a spirit, the Metté vats are kept outside in an open courtyard and exposed to the chill of snow in the winter and the heat of long summer days. A small opening at the top of the tanks is covered with mesh, allowing the undesirable esters and acids to escape, while the flavor of the fruit further concentrates. The cold also helps the spirit to stabilize naturally.
About a year before release, the alcohol content of the spirit is reduced to 45% with the addition of local spring water. The spirit is bottled by hand to order.
About a year before release, the alcohol content of the spirit is reduced to 45% with the addition of local spring water. The spirit is bottled by hand to order.
After distillation, the clear eau de vie passes six years in stainless steel tanks that are partially outside, something that exposes them to the vagaries of the weather. These temperature changes help the spirit to favorably develop and lose some of their esters.
(Above) Tanks are partially inside and partially outside during the long aging period of the spirits. The changes in temperatue over the course of half a decade have a positive effect on the taste of the bottled nectars. (Below) Because the production of some spirits is so limited, custom made tanks are able to hold the minimal quantities held before bottling.
A tribute to Philippe Traber at the distillerie.
Poire Williams (Williams Pear)
The Williams Pear, known in the United States as the Bartlett Pear, is an extremely aromatic variety. The fruit has a traditional bell shape and is considered a summer pear, not as tolerant of cold as some varieties. Optimum conditions for ripening are in dry shady areas; its green skin turns soft yellow and the pulp softens 7 to 10 days after the pear is picked. For their Poire Williams, Metté has worked with the same fruit grower for years in the northern Rhone near Valence. The fruit is picked and stored in small wooden boxes (5 kg maximum) to allow for further ripening. These small cases allow the fruit to mature at the same time. Overly bruised and rotten fruit is discarded. Approximately 11 pounds of pears are required to produce one 375 ml bottle of Metté Poire Williams.
The fruit is crushed and put in fiberglass tanks where its fermentation begins. No sugar or yeast is added and the fermentation proceeds naturally. The sugar and yeast interact during the 8-week fermentation that produces an alcohol around 4.5 to 5%. The liquid is racked to remove the fat lees and the dry perry, still on its light lees, is ready for its next transformation in the still.
The resulting eau de vie is a true experience for the senses. Aromas of freshly fallen pears emanate from the glass, and upon the first sip one feels and tastes the experience of biting into one of these perfectly ripe pears. The perfect balance of sweetness and acidity, along with an incredible length, makes sipping this spirit an utterly transporting tasting experience.
The Williams Pear, known in the United States as the Bartlett Pear, is an extremely aromatic variety. The fruit has a traditional bell shape and is considered a summer pear, not as tolerant of cold as some varieties. Optimum conditions for ripening are in dry shady areas; its green skin turns soft yellow and the pulp softens 7 to 10 days after the pear is picked. For their Poire Williams, Metté has worked with the same fruit grower for years in the northern Rhone near Valence. The fruit is picked and stored in small wooden boxes (5 kg maximum) to allow for further ripening. These small cases allow the fruit to mature at the same time. Overly bruised and rotten fruit is discarded. Approximately 11 pounds of pears are required to produce one 375 ml bottle of Metté Poire Williams.
The fruit is crushed and put in fiberglass tanks where its fermentation begins. No sugar or yeast is added and the fermentation proceeds naturally. The sugar and yeast interact during the 8-week fermentation that produces an alcohol around 4.5 to 5%. The liquid is racked to remove the fat lees and the dry perry, still on its light lees, is ready for its next transformation in the still.
The resulting eau de vie is a true experience for the senses. Aromas of freshly fallen pears emanate from the glass, and upon the first sip one feels and tastes the experience of biting into one of these perfectly ripe pears. The perfect balance of sweetness and acidity, along with an incredible length, makes sipping this spirit an utterly transporting tasting experience.
Framboise Sauvage (Wild Raspberry)
Not many wild raspberries are available in the Alsace region, so most producers search for them in other parts of Europe. Romania has become the place where many Alsatians source their fruit, and the Metté's contract the production of a small grower in that country. The fresh wild berries are picked and placed in small boxes that are kept stable in larger cases. Shortly after being picked, they are shipped at cool temperatures and in less than 48 hours arrive at the distillery in Ribeauvillé.
Raspberries and wild berries have a lower sugar content than pears and very little alcohol is produced after a full fermentation. Consequently, their production method begins in a slightly different way. Instead of fermenting, the whole berries macerate for six days in 75% alcohol eau de vie produced from grapes. This infuses the eau de vie with an intense raspberry flavor.
This mixture is then distilled, but because it is already around 30% alcohol, it is distilled in the pot still only once, during which time the heads and the tails are removed. The clear eau de vie exits the still at 70% and goes into the stainless steel tanks where it will rest for the next 6 to 8 years. As with the Poire Williams, the vats are kept outside in an open courtyard exposed to the chill of snow in the winter and the heat of long summer days. The cold also helps the spirit to stabilize naturally. A small opening at the top of the tanks is covered with mesh, allowing the undesirable esters and acids to escape, while the flavor of the fruit further concentrates.
About a year before release, the alcohol content of the spirit is reduced to 45% with the gradual addition of local spring water. About 100 liters of fruit are necessary to produce 35 liters of eau de vie at 45% ABV. The spirit is bottled by hand to order.
Not many wild raspberries are available in the Alsace region, so most producers search for them in other parts of Europe. Romania has become the place where many Alsatians source their fruit, and the Metté's contract the production of a small grower in that country. The fresh wild berries are picked and placed in small boxes that are kept stable in larger cases. Shortly after being picked, they are shipped at cool temperatures and in less than 48 hours arrive at the distillery in Ribeauvillé.
Raspberries and wild berries have a lower sugar content than pears and very little alcohol is produced after a full fermentation. Consequently, their production method begins in a slightly different way. Instead of fermenting, the whole berries macerate for six days in 75% alcohol eau de vie produced from grapes. This infuses the eau de vie with an intense raspberry flavor.
This mixture is then distilled, but because it is already around 30% alcohol, it is distilled in the pot still only once, during which time the heads and the tails are removed. The clear eau de vie exits the still at 70% and goes into the stainless steel tanks where it will rest for the next 6 to 8 years. As with the Poire Williams, the vats are kept outside in an open courtyard exposed to the chill of snow in the winter and the heat of long summer days. The cold also helps the spirit to stabilize naturally. A small opening at the top of the tanks is covered with mesh, allowing the undesirable esters and acids to escape, while the flavor of the fruit further concentrates.
About a year before release, the alcohol content of the spirit is reduced to 45% with the gradual addition of local spring water. About 100 liters of fruit are necessary to produce 35 liters of eau de vie at 45% ABV. The spirit is bottled by hand to order.
Kirsch (Cherry)
The Kirsch is made from small, very juicy and sweet black cherries called Ratafia cherries. These are grown on 60 hectares near St Hilaire, in Isère, in the foothills of the Alps. These cherries are harvested in early summer. After a natural fermentation, they are distilled twice in the copper pot stills. This eau de vie is aged for 6 years in stainless steel tanks before being bottled at 45% ABV. Its nose is spicy, with notes of black cherry jam, cinnamon, and cocoa. On the palate, it is rich, with notes of ripe cherries along with an almondy, pit fruit note. The finish is dense and rich, with a hint of spice.
The Kirsch is made from small, very juicy and sweet black cherries called Ratafia cherries. These are grown on 60 hectares near St Hilaire, in Isère, in the foothills of the Alps. These cherries are harvested in early summer. After a natural fermentation, they are distilled twice in the copper pot stills. This eau de vie is aged for 6 years in stainless steel tanks before being bottled at 45% ABV. Its nose is spicy, with notes of black cherry jam, cinnamon, and cocoa. On the palate, it is rich, with notes of ripe cherries along with an almondy, pit fruit note. The finish is dense and rich, with a hint of spice.
Abricot (Apricot)
This stunning eau de vie is made from Bergeron apricots harvested towards the end of July. After a natural fermentation, they are distilled twice in our copper pot stills, then aged for 6 years in stainless steel tanks before being bottled at 45% ABV. Best consumed as a digestif in a tulip glass. From its transparent color comes aromas of ripe apricots and almond pastry notes. On the palate, flavors of apricot jam and almond glide across its velvety texture. The finish is long, silky, and captivating.
This stunning eau de vie is made from Bergeron apricots harvested towards the end of July. After a natural fermentation, they are distilled twice in our copper pot stills, then aged for 6 years in stainless steel tanks before being bottled at 45% ABV. Best consumed as a digestif in a tulip glass. From its transparent color comes aromas of ripe apricots and almond pastry notes. On the palate, flavors of apricot jam and almond glide across its velvety texture. The finish is long, silky, and captivating.