OFFICIALLY MUNDOVINA P.G.E
- "Mundovina" was recognized as a local Geographical Indication Product of mountainous Halkidiki.
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The geographical indication and the name of a wonderful special spirit are officially registered, for which the recipe of the preparation of the fermentation and
distillation for its production is handed down from generation to generation until today.
Published in F.E.K. (no. 2827/issue two/19-10-2012) the Decision of the Deputy Minister of Finance for the recognition of the geographical indication "Mundovina".
The geographical indication "Mundovina" can complement or replace the sales name of the alcoholic drink "honey distillate", provided that it is produced within the region of mountainous Halkidiki (Municipalities of Aristotelis and Polygyros).
Mundovina has been made by the beekeepers of the mountainous Halkidiki for decades, who use the harvested combs and the leftover honey in them.
The beekeepers, after removing (harvesting) the honey, ferment the sugars of the remaining quantities of honey in the combs and distill the fermented honeydew, to prepare their own drink, which in their vernacular is called Mundovina.
Mundovina belongs to the "hard" drinks (along with Ouzo and Tsipouro) because, for the most part, it has a high alcohol content, greater than 45% Vol.
It is a wonderful special spirit, especially since it is distilled without anise, in which the natural aromas obtained from each honey of the Halkidiki Mountains, as well as the wax, are revealed. This is also its difference from honey distillate, i.e. the participation of aromatic substances of the wax, in its bouquet of aromas.
Mundovina belongs to the "party" drinks, to the "appetizers", which connect with the Greek culture. It is accompanied by dishes that have a strong taste, seafood, spicy salads, local cheeses and meat products, linked to the tradition of Mountain Halkidiki (mountain and sea) and covers all preferences.
In the composition of Muntovina, in addition to the aromatic substances of fermentation and fruits or seeds, the aromas from the work of the bee are also added.
Mundovina is free from the unwanted methanol (wood alcohol), which is necessarily found in other spirits. The absence of Methanol makes Mundovina easy to drink, without causing intolerance, dizziness, headaches and other symptoms of intoxication.
Mundovina without anise is used by the inhabitants of Mountain Halkidiki against colds but mainly as a digestive after a heavy meal.
For all the above reasons, in recent years the quantity produced by the beekeepers of Mountainous Halkidiki has been snatched away by tourists.
The recognition of Mundovina as a local Geographical Indication product is an important positive development and is expected to bring multiple positive results, related to the beekeeping sector, local tradition, the development of agritourism and the promotion of the product itself.
With his statements the Mayor Aristoteli Mr. Christos Pachtas reported the following:
"The recognition of Mundovina as a local Geographical Indication Product is a particularly positive development.
To identify the product, a series of historical elements linked to the production of Mundovina in Arnaia, at least since the beginning of the 20th century , were used.
The recognition of Muntovina is directly related to local agro-tourism development and beekeeping in the area of the Municipality of Aristotle.
It is a spirit, for which the recipe for preparing the fermentation and distillation for its production has been handed down from generation to generation until today.
Through the protection of the geographical indication, Mundovina obtains greater added commercial value. Given its excellent quality characteristics, we believe that its reputation can spread quickly within and outside of Greece.
As Aristoteli Municipal Authority recognizing the tradition of beekeeping in our area and the excellent quality honey of our beekeepers, we started the procedures for the creation of a Honey Museum in Arnaia.
The Honey Museum, which we hope to complete soon in a building owned by the Municipality, has been placed in an ideal spot within the historical center of Arnaia, where a homogeneous set of traditional houses has already emerged and the two Museums of History-Folklore and Textiles are located.
As a Municipal Authority we will do everything possible to highlight our local products, such as that of Muntovina.
Finally, I would like to thank everyone who helped in the preparation of the technical file, as well as in any other way, for the recognition of Mundovina as a local Geographical Indication Product".
