The absinthe of Pontarlier has obtained the geographical indication label for spirits, rewarding a know-how of two centuries for this alcohol of the east of France, announced Monday the European Commission.
The new name will join the 238 geographical indications of spirit drinks already registered at the level of the European Union.
The Commission stresses that many texts evoke "the elixir of absinthe in the Pontarlier region" as early as the 18th century.
"This activity then grows to reach 66,000 liters daily in 1914. Absinthe Pontarlier is then exported all over the world and the Parisian artistic world of the time is very actively involved in the enthusiasm around this drink, "recalls the EU executive in a statement.
Between 1921 and 1988, France banned aniseed drinks containing absinthe. The end of the ban is synonymous with the rebirth of the production of the plant and the drink in the region of Pontarlier.
The geographical indication defines Pontarlier's absinthe as "a limpid, pale yellow, green-spirited spirit" whose alcohol level when placed on the market "is greater than or equal to 45%" and the production is limited to a number of municipalities in the Doubs department, bordering Switzerland.
According to the European regulation, the geographical indication "indicates that the spirit drink originates from the territory of a country, when a quality, reputation or other characteristic characteristic of the spirit drink can be attributed essentially to this geographical origin".