South Tyrol – Between Alpine peaks, Lagrein and bacon dumplings
South Tyrol, or Alto Adige, is probably the most contrasting wine region in Italy: Alpine clarity meets Mediterranean lightness, German-Austrian tradition meets Italian joie de vivre. In the midst of the Dolomites, wines with a unique tension are created – characterized by cool nights, steep slopes and a long winegrowing culture that is deeply rooted in rural cuisine. A region that is equally rewarding for lovers of wine and food.
History & wine culture in South Tyrol
Vines have been cultivated in what is now South Tyrol since Roman times. Later, it was monasteries and farms that cultivated wine. The region was under Austrian administration for a long time and only became part of Italy after the First World War – a fact that can still be felt today in the language, architecture and culinary culture.
With around 5,700 hectares, South Tyrol may be one of the smaller wine-growing regions in Italy, but the density of top wines is enormous. The South Tyrolean Wine Road leads through traditional wine villages such as Kaltern, Tramin and St. Magdalena – flanked by vineyards, castles and apple orchards. The wines are predominantly single-varietal and the quality level is high.
Grape varieties & stylistics
The diversity of grape varieties in South Tyrol is impressive – from elegant white wines to powerful red wines. The style is characterized by freshness, clarity and a special balance between structure and drinking pleasure.
Typical for South Tyrol:
-
Pinot Blanc – straightforward, fruity, with fine acidity.
-
Gewürztraminer – aromatic, floral exoticism, dry to semi-dry.
-
Sauvignon Blanc – herbaceous, lively, mineral.
-
Vernatsch (Schiava) – light, juicy, with delicate tannins.
-
Lagrein – deep dark, spicy, with ripe fruit and power.
-
South Tyrolean sparkling wine – elegant sparkling wines made from Chardonnay or Pinot Noir.
South Tyrolean cuisine: hearty, down-to-earth & aromatic
South Tyrolean cuisine is authentic Alpine cuisine with Mediterranean influences: Hearty dumpling dishes, homemade pasta and aromatic speck meet Alpine herbs, mushrooms and seasonal vegetables – perfect with wine.
Typical dishes:
-
Schlutzkrapfen – crescent-shaped dumplings with a spinach and ricotta filling and brown butter.
-
Bacon dumplings in beef broth – a classic of country cooking.
-
Roasted polenta with mushrooms – hearty and earthy.
-
Venetian veal liver – in white wine sauce with onions.
-
Apple strudel – with South Tyrolean apples and raisins.
Wine & food: An ideal combination
In South Tyrol, the interplay of wine and food is not a staged performance, but a part of everyday life. The wines are precise, never overpowering – and therefore harmonize perfectly with the hearty, yet refined cuisine of the region.
A Pinot Blanc from Kaltern brings freshness to Schlutzkrapfen with brown butter. A Lagrein from Gries underlines the spiciness of beef and mushrooms. And a dry Gewürztraminer from Tramin plays with the aromas of a goat’s cheese from the Vinschgau Valley. A place where Alpine cuisine and wine meet at eye level.
Top 10 recipes with wine recommendations from South Tyrol – indulgence & food pairing from Alto Adige
Roasted cheese dumplings with sauerkraut
Alpine cuisine for wine and food enthusiasts Wine and food take center stage in this [...]
08
Nov
Nov
Schlutzkrapfen with spinach and ricotta filling & brown butter
South Tyrolean indulgence – finely tuned wine and food encounter Wine with food means the [...]
08
Nov
Nov
Bacon dumplings in beef broth
Gourmet classics rediscovered – alpine tradition meets fine wine culture Wine with food takes on [...]
08
Nov
Nov
Franconian asparagus with butter or ham
Seasonal indulgence: asparagus and wine Wine with food and regional asparagus are a culinary duo [...]
31
Oct
Oct
Franconian Schäufele
Tender pork, crispy crust & Franconia in a glass Wine with food is a must [...]
29
Oct
Oct
Porcini polenta with parmesan & herb oil
Creamy polenta, earthy mushrooms and fine herbs – an autumn dish full of depth Wine [...]
20
Oct
Oct
Caramelized beet tart with goat’s cheese & thyme
Autumnal, aromatic, balanced – a delight between sweetness and spice Wine with food means transforming [...]
17
Oct
Oct
Autumn salad with pear, walnut & gorgonzola
Crisp freshness, autumnal aromas and creamy harmony Wine with food shows how easily seasonal ingredients [...]
17
Oct
Oct
Porcini mushroom pappardelle with thyme & truffle oil
An autumnal treat with a Mediterranean accent Wine with food means discovering the perfect harmony [...]
02
Oct
Oct
Pizza Funghi
Classic indulgence – for pizza and mushroom lovers Wine with food reveals its great strength [...]
02
Sep
Sep
Latest food recommendations with wines from South Tyrol
Roasted cheese dumplings with sauerkraut
Alpine cuisine for wine and food enthusiasts Wine and food take center stage in this [...]
08
Nov
Nov
Schlutzkrapfen with spinach and ricotta filling & brown butter
South Tyrolean indulgence – finely tuned wine and food encounter Wine with food means the [...]
08
Nov
Nov
Bacon dumplings in beef broth
Gourmet classics rediscovered – alpine tradition meets fine wine culture Wine with food takes on [...]
08
Nov
Nov
Franconian asparagus with butter or ham
Seasonal indulgence: asparagus and wine Wine with food and regional asparagus are a culinary duo [...]
31
Oct
Oct
Franconian Schäufele
Tender pork, crispy crust & Franconia in a glass Wine with food is a must [...]
29
Oct
Oct
Porcini polenta with parmesan & herb oil
Creamy polenta, earthy mushrooms and fine herbs – an autumn dish full of depth Wine [...]
20
Oct
Oct
Caramelized beet tart with goat’s cheese & thyme
Autumnal, aromatic, balanced – a delight between sweetness and spice Wine with food means transforming [...]
17
Oct
Oct
Autumn salad with pear, walnut & gorgonzola
Crisp freshness, autumnal aromas and creamy harmony Wine with food shows how easily seasonal ingredients [...]
17
Oct
Oct
Porcini mushroom pappardelle with thyme & truffle oil
An autumnal treat with a Mediterranean accent Wine with food means discovering the perfect harmony [...]
02
Oct
Oct
Pizza Funghi
Classic indulgence – for pizza and mushroom lovers Wine with food reveals its great strength [...]
02
Sep
Sep
Mushroom risotto with porcini mushrooms
Italian comfort in perfection: with forest scent and creaminess Wine with food shows its full [...]
30
Aug
Aug
Tagliatelle with roasted porcini mushrooms
Sensual fall dish: wine and food with umami and elegance Wine with food opens up [...]
30
Aug
Aug
Gnudi (ricotta dumplings with spinach)
Tuscan lightness: wine and food with Mediterranean freshness Wine with food means elegantly showcasing authentic [...]
29
Aug
Aug
Tajarin al Tartufo
Piedmontese pasta art – wine and food in exquisite perfection Wine with food is at [...]
18
Aug
Aug
Marinated fennel salad with orange & black olives
Mediterranean freshness on the plate: light, aromatic and perfect for summer This fennel salad brings [...]
25
Jun
Jun
Beef carpaccio with parmesan & lemon-olive oil
Summer classic with a freshness kick and elegant acidity Thinly sliced fillet of beef meets [...]
24
Jun
Jun
Mediterranean halloumi and vegetable grill plate with olive oil & lemon
Colourful barbecue plate full of Mediterranean flavours Grilled halloumi meets braised vegetables, refined with good [...]
18
Jun
Jun
BBQ chicken wings with pineapple and chilli glaze
Tropical, fruity BBQ wings with a subtle spiciness – perfectly accompanied by an aromatic Gewürztraminer [...]
08
May
May
Wild garlic and cheese spaetzle with roasted walnuts
Spicy spring cuisine with a nutty crunch This dish combines homemade wild garlic spaetzle with [...]
17
Apr
Apr
Pasta with salsiccia, fennel & fresh mint
Fresh flavour meets Mediterranean elegance An uncomplicated but aromatically deep pasta dish for spring and [...]
16
Apr
Apr
Lentil salad with goat’s cheese, strawberries & rocket
Fresh, fruity and spicy: a light, summery salad with a sophisticated interplay of flavours A [...]
16
Apr
Apr
Spring quiche with leek, mushrooms & thyme
A flavoured classic reinterpreted This vegetarian quiche combines tender leeks, aromatic mushrooms and fresh thyme [...]
16
Apr
Apr
Goat’s cheese ravioli with beetroot & hazelnut butter
Colourful pasta meets nutty elegance These homemade ravioli combine the earthy sweetness of beetroot with [...]
16
Apr
Apr
Asparagus tarte flambée with wild garlic cream & walnuts
Springtime indulgence with aromatic wild garlic cream A crispy tarte flambée topped with tender green [...]
15
Apr
Apr
