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New wine tasting
The atmosphere begins to warm up and the magic of this special time will never be forgotten. Fall has covered the countryside with its colourful shawl. The sun is already lower, but is still warm at the horizon, above the wooded slopes that dominate the flaming yellow fields and vineyards, interrupted every so often by the vivid colours of the broadleaf trees.
The grapes of the low-lying vines growing on the steep terraces bordered by stone walls have already been harvested and pressed for some time. Around the cellars wafts a pleasant smell of must and new wine. The giant chestnut trees have released the last nuts on the brown leaf bed below and the small chestnuts are gathered skilfully by farmers and children.
In the "frasche" of the Valle Isarco/Eisacktal valley it’s time to taste the new wine (Törggelen): many groups crowd the paths looking around pensively or continue with a bold stride to the cellars, whose old taverns offer must, new wine, chestnuts roasted on vegetable coal embers, Speck, Kaminwurzen and many other delicious country style dishes. A good time is had by all and the conversation is lively. Every so often singing can be heard or even music creating a musical backdrop for the afternoon. Time flies by and many of the people in the happy party are weaving slightly as they finally leave the cosiness of the tavern to venture out into the evening twilight.
All this has nothing to do with the word Törggelen, that refers to the huge grape press (Torggel). People spend a relaxing day in the countryside, tasting new wine, judging its quality and comparing it what was made in years gone by. Each vine-grower has his own wine, made from vineyards that he has cared for and cultivated the entire year: even for those who love this type of outing, at the end of the season, around Christmas, it’s impossible to have tasted all the wines in the Valle Isarco. |