ELLEN’S WINE WORLD / SWISS WINES – Full name: Berner Rosenapfelbrand im Barrique, a 40% apple eau-de-vie made from local Bernese rose winter apples. Remarkably fruity and smooth brandy, perfect digestive after game or dark meats and among the best Swiss eaux-de-vie that I’ve had.

Urs Hecht is the master distiller at small regional family distillery Gunzwiler in the village of Gunzwil, canton Lucerne. The distillery has an excellent reputation for its many fruit eaux-de-vie. The distillery holds a number of tasting sessions, of its products but also invited wine producers, so check the calendar if you’re thinking of visiting the Lucerne area. Products are available from a number of wine and spirits shops in Switzerland. Great gift bottle.

Eaux de vie, Berner Rosenapfelbrand im Barrique. Distillery: Gunzwiler Destillate, canton Lucerne

Notes: Wonderful nose of apples; in mouth very smooth. Ages in oak for some years. Kirsch from the same distillery equally good, but not as smooth

Fruit distilled: Bernese rose winter apple

Where I enjoyed this: Golf Hotel & Spa, Saanenmoser, canton Bern, after a dinner of homemade sausage and pork specialties. Excellent with pastry chef’s remarkable after-dinner chocolates!

Sample price: 50 ml bottle, CHF59, shop price

Ellen’s Wine World on Facebook