Gourmet Weeks
The Eisacktal Törggelen
Following an ancient tradition, the vintners’ cottages and country restaurants throughout the valley, from Barbian to Vahrn and from the vineyards of Lajen up to Natz-Schabs, open up their doors on the last warm days of autumn, to celebrate the Törggelen wine tasting.
Of course, the main purpose of all, is the tasting of the “Süßen” (sweets), the young unfermented grape juice, and later in the year of the “Nuien”, the fermented must; but Speck, “horte Breatln” known locally as “Schüttel bread”, local bread with cereals (like anise), a healty barley soup and of course the “Kösten” – chestnuts, are all an essential part of it.
Many people these days know about the tradition of Törggelen, but far fewer know its origin. It’s most likely that the vintners moved the wine tasting, which was previously held in unfriendly, musty cellars, into their comfortable dining rooms. With neighbours and relatives joining in, the difficult business of the tasting almost certainly became easier to carry out and as time went on it turned into a cosy whole. Thus was born the present-day Törggelen! Incidentally, the name comes from the Torggel (lat.: torquere – to press), the huge grape press in the winery.
However before leaving themselves to sampling the rustic dishes, visitors should take a walk around the varied and fascinating cultivated areas, past the vineyards, the ancient farmsteads and the chestnut groves. Drinking in the landscape, in its history and traditions, and enjoying the products grown here and the lovely prepared food... that’s Törggelen!
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