Europa-Park: ALZA LXIR Wins Gold as Vermouth of the Year

Who is behind the award-winning drinks at Europa-Park — and how does a vermouth win over the experts? Jürgen Wörner knows the craft from the inside. As beverage product developer at the Europa-Park Erlebnis-Resort, he pairs sensory judgment with hands-on precision and a genuine drive to create new taste experiences. That work has now earned several well-known awards far beyond the park gates.

Trade magazine Falstaff recently scored three products from the ALZA and Château Ollwiller lineup with 92 points each: ALZA Le Rosé, ALZA LXIR Vermouth, and Château Ollwiller Crémant Rosé. ALZA LXIR went even further at the international spirits competition from wine magazine Meininger, taking a gold medal and the title “Vermouth of the Year.” For fans and anyone who cares about what’s in the glass, it’s a clear signal that Europa-Park treats its own brands seriously.

For Wörner, flavor is never left to chance. Every project starts with a simple question: what character should this drink have, and what experience should it deliver? Then come deep research, careful ingredient choices, and round after round of tastings. Sweetness, acidity, bitterness, aroma, and mouthfeel have to lock together — small tweaks can change everything. That same care shapes ALZA LXIR. Its base is ALZA Le Rosé from Pinot Noir grapes, rounded out with 20 selected botanicals from around Alsatian Château Ollwiller. The blend gives the vermouth its own layered character.

The push to bring a drink developed and produced fully in-house to market came from Thomas Mack. As managing partner of Europa-Park, he oversees gastronomy among other areas. Distillation happens at Europa-Park and will also take place at Château Ollwiller in the future; bottling and labeling are done by hand in small batches. You’ll find the award-winning drinks across Europa-Park and in the bars and hotels of the Europa-Park Erlebnis-Resort. Want the taste at home? ALZA products are available in selected shops at the park and in the online store. For more of the story, tune into the current Europa-Park podcast “Parkgeflüster” with Jürgen Wörner.