Italian Food, Wine & Travel goes to the Valle d'Aosta

I'm excited for this month's highlight of the Valle d'Aosta region of Italy for our Italian Food, Wine & Travel group. The Valle d'Aosta is the smallest regions in Italy tucked into the northwestern corner of Italy bordering France and Switzerland. Due to it's close proximity of these two countries there are strong influences from both France and Switzerland culturally and through it's food and wine. The name Valle d'Aosta, or Aosta Valley, originates from the Roman emperor, Augustus, and the geography of this region structured as a valley between a number of mountains.

This region is perfect for the outdoor enthusiast. It's known for its ski resorts and hiking trails, especially those through the Parco del Gran Paradiso. There are plenty of beautiful rivers and lakes in the peaceful countryside with wildlife in the surroundings. One of it's most stunning attractions are the snow capped mountains that dramatically hang over you in the valleys below. The mountains here consist of the tallest in western Europe, Monte Bianco or Mont Blanc, as well as Monte Rosa, the Matterhorn and others.

Food of the Valle d'Aosta

When you think of the Alpine regions of Italy you probably think of colder climatic conditions and with that comes heartier fare. That's what the Valle d'Aosta is known for. Everything from hot soups like the zuppa di valdostana, rye breads, to polenta covered in alpine cheeses, fondue with fontina being one of the popular cheeses, and meat based dishes like veal.

Wines of the Valle d'Aosta

Dominated by one DOC, Valle d'Aosta, and no DOCG's you'll find lots of grapes in this area you may have never heard of or even had the chance to experience. Red grapes such as cornalin, mayolet, petite arvine, torrette, fumin and petit rouge and white grapes such as prie blanc, muscat, muller thurgau, gewurztraminer and pinot grigio. There are a number of different climatic zones in the Aosta Valley with the main winemaking area of this particular region being the Dora Baltea Valley around the town of Aosta.

Join us November 7^th where myself and all my Italian loving blogger friends share our experiences on the food, wine and travel to this region.

Here's a preview of what's coming up:

Vino Travels – Swept away to the Alpine region of the Valle d'Aosta

Culinary Adventures with Camilla - Pluot-Glazed Duck Legs and Les Cretes Torrette 2011
Rockin Red Blog - Over the Hills and Far Away
Enofylz Wine Blog - Veal Ribs with Fontina with Valle d'Aosta Torrette Superieur #ItalianFWT
Cooking Chat - Ziti with Kale Pesto and Roasted Broccoli
Food Wine Click - They Sure Love Fontina in the Valle d'Aosta
Confessions of a Culinary Diva - Valle d'Aosta Fonduta & Wine
The Wining Hour - Valle d'Aosta Petit Rouge & Fontina

A live chat will be held Saturday November 7^th at 11am on Twitter at #ItalianFWT and we'd love to hear from you.

There is still time to join our group and tell us about any of your travels and food and/or wine experiences of this region. Email me at vinotravels at hotmail dot com and join our group. We'd love to have you.

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