Aosta Valley’s Tasty Treasures: Top 5 Food & Drink Experiences
When you’re dreaming of Italy, it’s almost always of sunshine and, very, really good food. Nestled right there in the heart of the Alps, the Aosta Valley is often, you know, passed over. Yet, it holds some amazing edible secrets that you won’t find anywhere else. So, forget those touristy traps and get ready for a real feast as we uncover the top 5 food and drink experiences you simply cannot miss! See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Memorable Food Experiences)
1. Fontina Cheese: The King of Aosta Valley
So, talking about the Aosta Valley, you simply, honestly can’t start anywhere else but with Fontina. This cheese, too it’s almost, like the king of the local food scene. Originating way, very, very back in the Middle Ages, Fontina is not just cheese; that is a story, too. It’s, you know, crafted from unpasteurized cow’s milk, giving it this particular nutty and slightly sweet taste that you won’t forget in a hurry. Yet, the texture, that is smooth and melts beautifully, which makes it really, really, very suitable for so many dishes. Like your traditional fonduta. Read our full review: Fontina Cheese Full Review and Details
As a matter of fact, local producers take so, too much pride in their Fontina. So, look for the DOP (Denominazione di Origine Protetta) stamp. As I was saying, that ensures you’re getting the real deal, the proper stuff. Very often, you might want to tour a local farm. Because, in that case, you can witness the cheese-making process first hand, really. Finally, grab a sample fresh from the source. The flavour will be outstanding! I mean, it’s that good. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Tour a Cheese Farm)
2. Lardo di Arnad: A Culinary Delight
Next up, right, it’s Lardo di Arnad, which is more or less cured pork back fat. Okay, that, is that, may not sound so great. As a matter of fact, this stuff is the real deal. Very different, like your typical bacon or cured meat. Prepared in Arnad, a little town inside the valley, Lardo di Arnad gets cured for a minimum of three months in containers made of wood, along with several natural herbs, spices, as well as salt. Read our full review: Lardo di Arnad Full Review and Details
Now, the end result? It’s literally a slice of heaven that, too it’s almost, melts right inside your mouth. Honestly, this experience is smooth, aromatic, together with a subtly salty taste making it the thing that, too it’s almost, you just, literally, kind of, must try! Arguably, locals often like it very thin, almost served on rye bread or maybe, actually, on some warm polenta, allowing those flavours, that is rich to shine through. By the way, you should track down a local “sagra,” or festival. Since you’ll frequently, possibly, have Lardo di Arnad featured. So you can taste it in traditional dishes. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Taste Lardo di Arnad)
3. Valle d’Aosta Wines: Hidden Gems of Italy
Forget the common Chianti. The Aosta Valley happens to be home to some seriously, very superb wines. Yet, it’s, sort of, very unexplored outside of Italy. Just a little, with terraced vineyards clinging towards steep mountain slopes. Very often, wine makers deal with such challenging conditions to cultivate particular grapes that truly show off the area’s terroir. I mean, imagine sipping, actually, a glass of intense red while you look out over snow-capped peaks! So perfect, right? Read our full review: Valle d’Aosta Wines Full Review and Details
So, look out for wines such as Petite Arvine, a fresh, too, it’s almost acidic white with hints of grapefruit. So perfect together with local cheese, I’m sure. As I was saying, there’s also Nebbiolo, an elegant, almost, kind of, full-bodied red, I want to say, that would go nicely with some hearty meat dishes. The area is literally, honestly filled with, kind of, small, family-run wineries that have cellar door tastings that provide an authentic, genuinely, warm experience. By the way, consider getting the tour of a vineyard. In that case, you can see how they make this liquid magic. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Tour a Vineyard)
4. Seupa Vapelenentse: A Hearty Valley Soup
As I was saying, when those Alps start throwing down their winter snow, that’s almost a clear sign you might want to try Seupa Vapelenentse. Because, in other words, Valpelline Soup! Finally, this country soup, I want to say, is designed to warm you, just, kind of, down to your core. The heart? Yet, the layers upon layers of rye bread soaked in broth and Fontina. Very often enriched, basically, with cabbage and butter. Basically, trust me, so simple, kind of, sounds pretty bland, possibly? Anyway it’s very rich and oh-so pleasing. Just a little, every single spoonful happens to be like the best hug you’ve ever had, as a matter of fact! Read our full review: Seupa Vapelenentse Full Review and Details
Anyway, many local restaurants usually have their very own version. Although, it might really be worth tracking down somewhere famous for this hearty dish. Very often, ask some locals to get suggestions. Because, clearly, they definitely have an idea which spots seriously dish out that authentic taste from grandma. Definitely, if you have the option, experiment with making it yourself! As a matter of fact, it is a awesome method to transport that taste from the Aosta Valley, that you can taste, into your own house, as a matter of fact! See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Sample Traditional Seupa Vapelenentse)
5. Tegole Valdostane: Sweet Ending
Anyway, time for something that might really please people having a sweet tooth. And so, here’s, almost, kind of, Tegole Valdostane! As a matter of fact, “Tegole” basically, honestly translates to tiles. Honestly, describing such thin, round biscuits made from nuts. I want to say, normally almonds or hazelnuts. Also that gives them a uniquely, slightly, crispy but sort of, fragile texture. The flavors? Oh my god, literally toasty, nutty as well as buttery; they really, very often are so moreish, you understand! I mean, they do really, very go beautifully with that coffee cup, a dessert, or, arguably, basically like an attractive edible present. As I was saying, Tegole can also be available almost everywhere in Aosta Valley! From pastry boutiques to souvenir retailers, right? So very, really easy that you can find them. Read our full review: Tegole Valdostane Full Review and Details
First, grab a box of them while leaving for a sweet goodbye to Aosta. But in reality, maybe hold one or two yourself, clearly. By the way, maybe track down, actually, different varieties? As a matter of fact, there is frequently chocolate dipped Tegole! Because obviously the next stage of goodness, in other words. Because it just wouldn’t seem correct that you were going, in other words, before eating at least a bit, maybe actually the Aosta Valley on your travels, by the way. I’m just telling you that! See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Purchase Tegole Valdostane)