Good Cooking Week in the Isarco Valley 2006
Staff Writer - February 22, 2006

This is probably one of the most successful traditional enogastronomy events of Italy, serving between 10,000 and 12,000 dinners at the about 20 participating restaurants. The event is now in its 30th year.

This is a record for a wine and food event established when enogastronomy wasn't as successful among the general public as it is today. Another characteristic of the Settimana della Buona Cucina della Valle Isarco (Eisacktaler Kost in local German, or Good Cooking Week in the Isarco Valley), which will take place from March17, to April 2, 2006, is that despite the presence of many tourists, the event is extremely popular among the inhabitants as well. The Isarco Valley is known locally as the one where springtime arrives first, even though the surrounding skiing destinations of Plose, Maranza, Valles, Monte Cavallo, Racines, and Ladurns are still perfectly covered in snow.

Typical food washed down  by a selection of local wines

This unique combination of skiing and good cooking week is organized by the Consorzio Turistico Valle Isarco (Isarco Valley Tourist Consortium) in collaboration with the Unione Albergatori e Pubblici Esercenti dell'Alto Adige (Alto Adige Union of Hotels and Stores) and each year is dedicated to a different theme. The 2006 focus is on 'Le Bontà dell'Orzo e del Luppolo', or 'The Goodness of Barley and Hops.'

The event features traditional recipes of the Tyrolean cuisine, including Knödel, Schlutzkrapfen, Weinsuppe, Gulasch, Gröstli and Kapuzinerfleisch, mixed with more modern offerings featuring the typical products of this part of the Alps.

The participating restaurants include both well known names featured in classy travel guides, and local, family-run trattorias. Weekly hotel packages starting at €350, including continental breakfast, are available. The 'Buona Cucina' dinners must be paid for apart, and reservations are preferred. The typical recipes will be paired with the local Isarco valley wines.

With 240 hectares (around 593 acres) of vineyards, this is the northernmost Italian wine zone, and the only one facing the beautiful Dolomite Alps. Extraordinary white wines, such as Silvaner, Müller Thurgau, Pinot Bianco, Veltliner, and the rare Kerner are produced in the surroundings of Chiusa and Bressanone, from where it's possible to gaze upon the rock cathedrals of the Putia and Odle peaks. In addition to well known wineries such as the Cantina Produttori Valle Isarco (Isarco valley Producer's Winery), in Chiusa, or the Abbazia di Novacella (Novacella Abbey), there are other, smaller ones, such as Rockhof, Künhof, and others which are rapidly carving a space for themselves.

Inside an Isarco Valley cellar

Isarco Valley wine which were awarded the prestigious Three Glasses  by the 2006 Vini d'Italia guide by Gambero Rosso:

• Alto Adige Valle Isarco Kerner Praepositus 2004 - Abbazia di Novacella (Varna)
• Alto Adige Valle Isarco Sylvaner 2004 - Manfred Nössing, Hoandlhof (Bressanone)
• Alto Adige Valle Isarco Sylvaner Vendemmia Tardiva 2004 Kuenhof, Peter Pliger (Bressanone).

Among the red wines, noteworthy for their good body and structure, as well as elegance, there are Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Nero and, of course, the local Lagrein.

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