1.Ratafia Catalana.
Order May 12th, 1998, concerning the Regulation of the Geographical Ind Ratafia Catalana DOGC 2650 05/29th/1998. Article 4: “the Catalan Ratafia is a liqueur made basically with green walnuts. Its flavor can be completed with other aromatic plants.” Among other characteristics, its alcoholic strenght by volume shall be 26-29% (52-58º proof), having a mínimum sugar contain between 200-300 g/L.
Article 5:”maduration for at least 3 months in wooden cask not exceeding 1000L capacity” (This act was repealed by Order Dpt of Agriculture Regional Gov of Catalonia ARP/243/2017, October 25th, DOGC No. 7484, 30-10-2017, which established the Protected Geographical Indication PGI Ratafia Catalana regulation).
The liquor produced is called “Catalan Ratafia” by hydroalcoholic maceration basically of green walnuts, and the incorporation of a mixture of aromatic plants.
Physical, chemical and organoleptic characteristics:
Physico-chemical parameters: Alcohol strenght by volume: 24% ABV to 30% ABV (48-60 ºproof). Sugar: between 100 and 400 g/lL (expressed as invert sugar).
Organoleptic parameters: Color: Brown with a caramel hue that can vary in intensity, but that in any case
It will be between Pantone 464 and 469. Taste: It has evident green walnuts aroma and flavors. Texture: dense and viscous.
More recently, the EU Regulation no. 110/2008 Oficial Journal of the EU 13/02/2008 that regulates among spirit drinks, annex III (Geographical Indications) contemplates within category 32 (Liqueurs) the Catalan Ratafia.
Note: On May the 17th, the REGULATION (EU) 2019/787 was published in the Official Journal of the EU, repealing The EU Regulation no. 110/2008.
For further info please visit: Regulation (EU) 2019/787 Spirit drinks
For further info please please visit: La IGP Ratafia Catalana (juny2018) (in catalan)
2.Ratafia (Generic liqueur, not PGI)
Real Decreto 164/2014 (published on BOE “Official State Gazete” 26-3-2014) article 7, paragraph h):
“h) Ratafia: liqueur elaborated basically with green walnuts. Its flavor can be completed with other aromatic plants.”
According Regulation (EC) no 2019/787 a Liquor is a spirit drink, having a mínimum sugar content, expressed as invert sugar, of 100g/L, and the mínimum alcoholic strength by volume shall be 15%ABV. (30º proof).
The best-selling ratafia brand that’s represents 60% of the market has 26%ABV, and the average amount of sugar of the ratafies found in the stores is around 200 g/L, like other common and popular liqueurs.
Picture 1: Bottle of Ratafia produced by the students of the School of Viticulture & Oenlogy (for educational purpose only). Picture by Pep Escudero 2017.
© Of this post by Pep Escudero, January 2019 (updated june 2019 – april 2022 – march 2023)
Ratafia Espiells 