• Food & Wine
    • Mountains

Local specialties in valtellina

A small area of ​​Lombardy with a rich gastronomic tradition

Valtellina is a region rich with high-quality products that are famous all over the world. Their most important products include cheeses (such as Bitto cheese), wine, pizzoccheri pasta, bresaola (dried beef) and bitters.

 

Tradition has it that in the mountain pastures in the summer, the milk is transformed into precious Bitto cheese, while the return of the herds in the valley is linked to the production of the Valtellina Casera once only available in winter, which can now be found throughout the year. Expert shepherds and cheese makers, the Celts, to conserve and transfer the nutritional properties of milk over time, began to produce long-keeping cheeses, and it is likely that the etymology of the name Bitto, deriving from "Bitu", may indicate something that is persistent. Since 1996, these cheeses have been awarded the Protected Designation of Origin: their production technology is defined by the respective disciplines to ensure their unique quality. After they have aged for 70 days, the wheels of cheese are inspected one by one, by the technicians of the Consortium that apply the fire brand of quality.

The first historical evidence attesting to the production of Bresaola dates back to the 15th century. The origin of the name Bresaola can traced to the Germanic word "brasa", meaning embers, since braziers were used in ancient times to heat and dehumidify the air in the aging rooms. The braziers unleashed an aromatic smoke that was obtained by throwing juniper berries and bay leaves on burning coals of fir wood.

Another important delicacy is Pizzoccheri della Valtellina. The earliest origins of this buckwheat pasta can be traced back to 1750 when it was cited in a will. Buckwheat, the main ingredient constituting the heart of the recipe, originally came from Siberia (the cultivation of this crop in Italy is dated around the 15th century, in Teglio). The first crop of furmentun dates back to the 1600s. In terms of red wines, Valtellina is a major producer. The Denomination of Origin (D.O.) of Valtellina boasts 2 DOCG (Sforzato di Valtellina and Valtellina Superiore) 1 DOC (Rosso di Valtellina) and 1 IGT (Terrazze Retiche di Sondrio), with vineyards covering about 800 hectares.

Some of Valtellina's bitters most worthy of mention include braùlio and fruit grappa. Bràulio is a liqueur aperitif, digestive and tonic, with a pleasantly bitter taste and moderate alcohol content (21 %). Its main ingredients are herbs and medicinal plants, fruits, roots and wild berries, collected in the mountains surrounding Bormio, the pristine environment of the Stelvio National Park. Grappa, on the other hand, is made with characteristic flavours including blueberries, wild strawberries and raspberries.

Take me here: Local specialties in valtellina

On the same topic

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
Zucca Bertagnina

Rassegna Gastronomica del Lodigiano

The flavours of tradition
  • Food & Wine
Rassegna Gastronomica del Lodigiano

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
  • Food & Wine
Flavours and aromas of Valtellina

Traditional cheeses of lombardy

It is from Lombardy that some of the most famous Italian cheeses come from all over the world
  • Food & Wine
Traditional cheeses of Lombardy

Hunting for truffles, the diamonds of the Lombardy table

From the most prized - the white truffle, to the black summer truffle or Scorzone, the marzuolo, the black Trifola and the black uncinato: also in Lombardy you can find delicious truffles, which are appreciated in restaurants all over the world
  • Food & Wine
Hunting for truffles, the diamonds of the Lombardy table

Wine and Flavor Trail Oltrepò Pavese

Oltrepo Pavese has always been recognized for its wines and most of those who have had the pleasure of going to this part of the province of Pavia, will remember above all its hills and stretches of vine rows
  • Food & Wine
Wine and Flavor Trail in Oltrepò Pavese, history taste and traditions

Bergamo, hunting for flavors

Valleys of extraordinary beauty, like the city that looks at them from the walls. Wines, cheeses, pasta.
  • Food & Wine
Bergamo, hunting for flavors

Discover Valtellina: ideal destination for an authentic mountain experience

Discover the winter edition of Valtellina Nascosta
  • Food & Wine
Discover Valtellina: ideal destination for an authentic mountain experience

Campagna Amica, the Sunday markets

In Stradivari Square in Cremona
  • Food & Wine
Campagna Amica, the Sunday markets

Winery weekend in 7 stages

7 must-see destinations in Lombardy to discover with a glass of wine in hand
  • Food & Wine
Winery weekend in 7 stages

What can I eat in Cremona?

The main courses of Cremona’s tradition
  • Food & Wine
What can I eat in Cremona?

Tasting your way around Monza and Brianza

Wild garlic pesto, pink asparagus from Mezzago, white potatoes from Oreno: discover all the local flavours of Monza e Brianza.
  • Food & Wine
Tasting your way around Monza and Brianza

Christmas sweets in Lombardy

Christmas is on its way. The confectionery tradition in Lombardy is rich and varied, and each province has its own typical dessert.
  • Food & Wine
Christmas sweets in Lombardy

A gastronomic tour of Lake Iseo

Lake Iseo is rich in nature, history, culture, and unique flavours. Start your taste adventure here.
  • Food & Wine
A gastronomic tour of Lake Iseo

Agritourism in Pavia: where you feel ‘naturally’ at home

Dove è naturale sentirsi a casa
  • Food & Wine
Agritourism in Pavia: where you feel ‘naturally’ at home

Mantua Local Products Guide

Mantua beyond for its historical richness, is famous also for the numerous typical gastronomic products and recipes handed down for generations
  • Food & Wine
Mantua Local Products Guide, the flavor of tradition

A journey through the unique flavors of Lombardy

  • Food & Wine
A journey through the unique flavors of Lombardy

Grana padano

Typical Italian DOP cheese
  • Food & Wine
Grana Padano

Wines of Valtellina

The extreme variety of the Lombardy territories is reflected in a very wide range of absolutely fine and famous red and white wines all over the world
  • Food & Wine
Discover and savor the wines of Valtellina

Panettone recipe

The secret of the preparation of the panettone: one of the typical sweets of the Milanese tradition
  • Food & Wine
Panettone recipe, a Milanese staple