Encompassing some of Europe’s highest vineyards, the alpine wine regions of northern Italy offer picturesque views with snowy peaks and charming villages. The wines produced in Trentino-Alto Adige, the tiny Valle d’Aosta and north of Milan in Lombardy combine bright freshness with power and elegance and come alive when paired with the hearty cuisine of the region. These refined dishes show influences from neighboring countries like Austria and Switzerland and are unlike those from any other region in Italy. Almost as if taking inspiration from the mountain scenery where the ingredients are grown, this cuisine can reach breathtaking heights. Designed to warm your soul and invigorate your palate, these alpine recipes and wine pairings can transport you to the captivating peaks and valleys from which they hail.

This article originally appeared in the August/September 2022 issue of Wine Enthusiast magazine. Click here to subscribe today!

This simple dish brings together the beloved ingredients of veal and fontina from the small region of Valle d’Aosta in northern Italy.

Bordering France and Switzerland, and containing peaks like Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn, this tiny, but stunning, region grows a wide variety of grapes on steep slopes that rise to over 4,000 feet in altitude. The native grapes Prié Blanc, Petit Rouge, Fumin and Vien de Nus are common, as well as the Swiss variety Petite Arvine plus Chardonnay, Gamay and Pinot Noir plantings can be found. It became an autonomous region of Italy in 1947 and retains many cultural ties with France and Switzerland.

A delectable pairing of pasta and cured fish from northern Italy’s Trentino-Alto Adige. Learn how to make it here.

This region comprises Trentino in the south and Alto Adige (aka Südtirol) in the north on the Austrian border and is bisected vertically by the Adige River. Here you’ll find the red wines Schiava, Teroldego, and Lagrein, as well as “Trentino Rosso” made mostly of Merlot blended with Cabernet Sauvignon or Cabernet Franc. Trento DOC (known as “Trentodoc”) wines are traditional method sparkling whites and rosés and are considered Italy’s best sparklers along with Lombardy’s Franciacorta.

Hearty and luxurious, this simple braise, paired with flavors of saffron and gremolata, is a classic of Lombardy cuisine.

A sixth of Italy’s population lives in Lombardia—mostly in and around the Milan metropolitan area—but it only produces about 3% of the country’s wine. Sparkling wine is a star here (not just Franciacorta but the Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico DOCG), along with Nebbiolo (locally known as Chiavennasca) growing on precipitously steep south-facing slopes in the Valtellina region, near Switzerland. Lombardia is also home to Italy’s three largest lakes, Garda, Maggiore and Como.

Summer Somewhere 2021 Rosé (Santa Barbara County)

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