It no longer belongs to Austria, and is yet not fully Italian, the beautiful region of South Tyrol takes the most beautiful influences of these two culinary strongholds and mixes them with their original roots of the simple mountain farmers’ cuisine of the Alps and Dolomites. The cuisine of South Tyrol impresses with its simplicity, love of local products and the sophistication of lumping different cuisines into one pot and creating something unique. Are you already impressed by the landscape of the South Tyrolean cycling landscape? Then we will now convince you of the culinary delights of the Trentino-Alto Adige. Read on!
Even if you’ve never been to South Tyrol – almost everyone has heard of Törggelen. As soon as the cycling summer draws to a close, the vine leaves shimmer beautiful colours and the ripe grapes from the South Tyrolean vineyards exude a gentle, sweet note, then it’s Törggelen time. Known as the fifth season, Törggelen is used to mark the end of the grape harvest and the new wine is tasted. Traditionally, wine, roasted chestnuts, nuts and sweet ‘Krapfen’ (like donuts) were served. In the meantime, however, all kinds of delicacies are served in the cosy farmhouse parlours of the traditional restaurants. Homemade Schlutzkrapfen, sausages and sauerkraut, dumplings and roast cured pork are just some of the specialties that await you during a real Törggelen. The start guest us always the new vintage and the roasted chestnuts.
Those guests among you who have already cycled our Brixen tour will definitely know of it – the famous Eisack Valley wine. There are a total of seven types of wine and a red wine cuvée that is named ‘Südtiroler Eisacktaler’. As the northernmost wine-growing region of Italy, it can keep up with many other top Italian wines and has a good reputation in the rest of Italy. The mineral-rich soils and the optimal climate have proven to provide the perfect growing area for these excellent wines. And of course, the fine wines of the region have also become anchored in the local cuisine. One of the most popular meals around Brixen is the Eisack Valley wine soup, which is traditionally prepared with a dry Sylvaner. This soup is unique in its simplicity, its seasoning and its full-bodied taste and will also completely impress the soup lovers among you.
Dumplings are popular with young and old, rich and poor in South Tyrol. Which dumplings you may ask? That’s a good question, because there are many. Would you like Speckknödel (bacon), Spinatknödel (spinach), Rote-Beete-Knödel (beetroot), Käseknödel (cheese), Schlutzkrapfen (like pierogi) or perhaps Kürbisknödel (pumpkin)? Don’t worry, there’s something for everyone. The South Tyrolean dumpling trio is particularly popular – a steaming plate of spinach, cheese and beetroot dumplings, which are topped with nut butter and a sprinkling of parmesan. A pleasure for the eyes and the palate, believe us, and a dish you should try on your next cycle tour, such as the tour South Tyrol based in one hotel.
Up to this point you could find some parallels to Austrian, particularly Tyrolean cuisine, right? But the fact that South Tyrol is Italian cannot be denied. If you have booked the cycle tour from Bolzano to Venice, for example, you don’t have to wait until Verona to order your first tasty pizza or plate of delicious pasta, because you’ll find excellent Italian cuisine in South Tyrol. But if you want to try Schlutzkrapfen, Kaminwurzen or Schüttelbrot, you should buy it in Bolzano at the latest, because these specialties are only available in South Tyrol.
One fruit that grows particularly well in South Tyrol is the apple. In the spring it gives our guests the greatest pleasure – not as a taste on the palate, but rather the blossoming apple trees and their heavenly scent that will certainly encourage you to take a break or two. The sight of the thousands upon thousands of white-flowering trees on the side of the cycle path is too beautiful, offering a stunning photo opportunity. From the end of August, the fruits, in a wide variety of colours and flavours, can them be harvested. Everyone has to decide for themselves whether to enjoy the South Tyrolean apple in its pure form or processed. Both are great. A crunchy apple snack gives us cyclists energy and does not over fill the stomach. Alongside cinnamon and sugar, rolled up in wonderfully crispy strudel dough, maybe with a scoop of ice cream or some whipped cream and preferably still lukewarm, the apple loses some lightness, but increases happiness after a long day on the bike!
If you still don’t think ‘Where can I go in South Tyrol?’, you can find more inspiration and reasons to take a cycling holiday in South Tyrol here. And believe us, you will not only come back happy with your holiday in terms of culinary delights! Our cycle routes in South Tyrol are among the most beautiful and varied in our programme. We would be happy to advise you on this and are available to answer any questions you may have.
