Flavours and aromas of Valtellina

The Valtellina is a place for relaxation and good living, not least because of its inviting food and wine. Let's go and discover it

Although it may seem obvious that in Italy you can eat well just about anywhere, it is equally well known that some regions and provinces have more to offer than others in terms of food and wine delicacies for true connoisseurs.

This is true of Valtellina, a land of forests, mountains and amazing views, but also of natural foods that are the result of thepeasant tradition and of well-known red wines that are dry and full-bodied and go well with local dishes, perfectly enhancing their taste.

The region is sheltered from the cold winds from the north and the hot, humid winds from the south thanks to the protection offered by the crown of the Alps, but for many days a year it is bathed in the intense light of the mountain sun.

The microclimate here is particularly favourable for growing vines. The rest is down to the ancient flavours of a cuisine that has stood the test of time and the exquisite local specialities: from Pizzoccheri to Chisciol, from Bitto to Polenta taragna.

If your mouth is already watering and you'd like to find out more, follow us on our discovery tour of the tastiest places in Valtellina.

1. Pizzoccheri — Our eno-gastronomic itinerary starts from Teglio, a village in the heart of Valtellina located in a panoramic and sunny position at an altitude of 900 mt. a.s.l. For over four centuries, Teglio has been growing buckwheat, known as "furmentum", "fraina" or "farina negra", a practice that has now almost disappeared in the rest of Italy.

Read more

2. Bitto — The next stop on our discovery tour of the local flavours and aromas is Morbegno, the main town in the lower Valtellina lying on the Bitto cone and home to the cheese specialty that goes by the same name. A large, semi-hard cooked cheese with a cylindrical shape and straw-yellow rind, Bitto di Morbegno is made by processingraw whole cow's milk twice a day on the spot, immediately after milking, with the addition of no more than 10% of milk from Orobica goats, an animal native to the Val di Gerola.

Read more

3. Chisciol — From Morbegno to Tirano, just a stone's throw from the Swiss border, you can discover one of the most attractive towns in the whole of Valtellina, well worth a visit both for its thriving cultural and recreational outdoor life and for its food and wine delicacies. Here, after a ride along the Sentiero Valtellina, a rafting tour on the Adda river, a trekking excursion or an equally exciting trip on board the Red Train of the Bernina, there is nothing better than to refuel with some of the delicious local specialities.

Read more

4. Wine in Valtellina — It would be a real shame not to accompany the exquisite Valtellina dishes with a good local wine. Dating back to ancient times, the cultivation of vines has shaped the Valtellina landscape, giving life to the unique panorama of terraced vineyards and today boasting productions recognised by prestigious quality marks and world famous.

Read more

5. Bràulio — Our itinerary through the flavours and fragrances of the Valtellina ends in Bormio, a well known mountain tourist resort located in the Stelvio National Park. The production of Bràulio, a legendary bitter aged in enormous Slavonian oak barrels stored in the fascinating cellars beneath the old town centre of Bormio, is closely linked to the history of the place.

Read more

Cotechino pavese

A traditional peasant's delight

Food & Wine

Eating at Lake Iseo

Between fish and good wine

Food & Wine

Valtellina, a history of grapes and rock.

Discovering a fantastic route between food and wine and nature

Food & Wine

Flavors and Products from Garda

Lake Garda is an ideal place for gourmets and wine lovers

Food & Wine

Cipolla Rossa di Breme

The Breme Red Onion has been documented since the 10th century, dating back to the foundation of the famous abbey, which in the following centuries became one of the most important in Europe.

Food & Wine

A toast to the vineyards and wineries of Lombardy

Lombard vineyards and wineries are eager to welcome tourists and visitors to enjoy the last phases of the harvest.

Food & Wine

Typical Lombardy mountain dishes

Discover Lombardy's typical high-altitude dishes. Dive into traditional Alpine cuisine and its authentic flavours

Food & Wine

Wine and Flavor Tra il Garda

Food & Wine

Malfatti: a culinary delight from the Oltrepò Pavese

Traditional dish of the rural heritage of the Oltrepò Pavese

Food & Wine

Salame di Varzi D.O.P.

The origins of Varzi Salame are to be found in the dawn of time

Food & Wine

Parona offelle biscuits

Food & Wine

Taste and relaxation in the vineyards

From hills to wineries, welcoming the autumn on a journey through tasting, culture, and relaxation.

Food & Wine

Torta Paradiso

The iconic dessert of Pavia's tradition

Food & Wine

Eating in Val Sabbia

The authentic taste of Val Sabbian cuisine

Food & Wine

Fagiolo Borlotto di Gambolò

The Borlotto bean has been cultivated for centuries in the agricultural area of Gambolò and its immediate surroundings.

Food & Wine

Eating Lombardy

Lombardy shows its excellence with the unique and traditional flavors of each single territory, but it is also international cuisine

Food & Wine

8 summer festivals not to be missed

Festivals that reveal a region rich with tradition and plenty of tasty treats!

Food & Wine

Zucca Bertagnina di Dorno

In Dorno, pumpkin cultivation has an ancient tradition. In particular, a variety of pumpkin called "Bertagnina" was historically grown.

Food & Wine

Carnival sweets in Lombardy

Carts, masks, confetti and fun, Carnival is coming to Lombardy!

Food & Wine

A sweet autumn in Lombardy

As the chilly weather approaches, we have the perfect excuse to spend some cosy afternoons at home, keeping ourselves warm with desserts imbued with the traditional flavours of our childhood in Lombardy

Food & Wine