There’s no better way to explore fantastic Italian produce in the underrated gem that is Trentino than with chef Roberta from Pasta Evangelists. She’s helped to propel the company to estimated revenues of around £37 million per year and travels frequently to Italy to research and source the very best ingredients.
Trentino is blessed with some of the most awe-inspiring scenery in Italy, from the dramatic Dolomites to the Mediterranean Lake Garda. It is also the reason why the area has such an embarrassment of riches in terms of produce.
Pasta making
Whilst Roberta might be the queen of fresh pasta, the king of dry pasta is undoubtedly, Felicetti Pasta. Their family has been making pasta in the Fiemme Valley for over a century.
With fresh alpine air and pristine spring water, they produce premium pasta using organic semolina sourced from a single origin. Their Monograno Felicetti line is used by top-rated restaurants around the world, from Luca Fantin, the only Michelin-starred Italian chef in Japan, to three-Michelin-starred chef, Norbert Niederkofler. Their state-of-the-art factory was only completed in 2021 and includes an impressive robotic storage facility for their pasta that wouldn’t look out of place on the set of Blade Runner. They are aiming for public tours of the factory in the not-too-distant future.
Wine tasting
Prosecco might be the best-known sparkling wine to come out of Italy, but Trentodoc is widely regarded as the best quality sparkling wine from the country. It is produced using the classic method, with secondary fermentation taking place in the bottle and is significantly more refined than your average mass-produced Prosecco. Ferrari wines is one of the trademark wines from the region and has a similar rich texture and quality which is comparable to Champagne.
The vineyards of Trentino are a must-visit for those who enjoy breath-taking scenery along with their wine tasting. Barone a Prato, in the famous wine region of Segonzano, is one to consider, they’ve been making wines for four generations, since 1885. The vineyards, perched on the dramatic mountain slopes, are given added gravitas as they are in the shadows of a ruined castle, that was destroyed by Napoleonic troops. However, the original façade can still be seen in a painting by Albrecht Dürer. A picnic on the floor of the castle can be arranged, whilst you try their signature, full-bodied Castelsegonzano Pinot Nero.
Michelin star dining
Dinner at the one-Michelin-starred, El Molin will showcase the passion chef Alessandro Gilmozzi has for the mountains of Trentino. We were fortunate enough to have gone on a foraging expedition in the forest pre-dinner with both chef Alessandro and chef Roberta. You learn quickly that top chefs don’t need to use the most expensive cut of steak or the most exotic fungi, they forage what’s locally available to them, be it dandelion flowers or native bark. You’ll see more herbs, lichens and resins on his menu rather than meaty dishes.
One to watch is Ristorante Augurio in Trento. The three brothers, Luca, Mattia and Samuele, who own the restaurant, look after the front and back-of-house aspects. They respect tradition but are also keen on innovating, as witnessed by the intelligent micro-greenhouse taking pride of place in the centre of the restaurant. Gnocchi isn’t always the most exciting of dishes, but their version includes onion-ash smoked white trout on top which gives the dish added complexity.
Even more casual affairs can be immensely satisfying such as the chargrilled cauliflower in an umami-rich mushroom broth at Ristorante Elementi. The Potato Tortel at Ristorante Centrale in Flavon is an inexpensive experience much beloved whether you are part of the bourgeoisie or proletariat. Finally, you can taste the flavours of the lake at Osteria Le Servite in Riva del Garda with their local fish cicchetti platter.
Olive oil producers
Ask chef Roberta, what her favourite pasta is and the answer is very likely to be spaghetti aglio e olio. Simplicity is the key in Italian cooking and you’ll go far with a premium bottle of olive oil. A visit to Maso Botés will show you the passion locals have for producing high-quality, organic extra virgin olive oil.
The Mediterranean climate, along with the mountainous landscape, has combined to deliver an olive oil with unique complexity, it’s well-balanced with fruity aromas. Their tasting experience includes sampling five organic oils, an olive patè, a Trentino honey and two honey vinegars. In recent years, they’ve developed into an agritourism venture with boutique rooms and a high-tech spa that offers advanced treatments like ZEROBODY™ dry floating experience.
Melinda apples
Driving through the apple valley of Val di Non is a spectacle to behold with the endless picturesque apple orchards. Over 4,000 families are working in 16 cooperatives that help to form the Melinda Consortium. Melinda has been a certification of quality over the years, so much so that in 2003, some of their apples, like the golden and red delicious, received the P.D.O. – Protected Designation of Origin from the European Union.
Their underground storage space inside the Dolomite caves of Rio Maggiore Mine is a spectacular feat of ingenuity. They’ve used the voluminous space left by the mining company to store their apples in a naturally ‘refrigerated’ environment. This eco-friendly system is the first of its kind in the world. They already have a shrine to all things apple-related at their visitor’s centre, MondoMelinda, but they have plans to offer tours to their storage caves in the not-too-distant-future.
Where to stay
The region can be roughly divided into urban centres like Trento, mountainous regions like the Dolomites and the ever-popular Lake Garda region. In Trento, there are Airbnb-type accommodations, that offer space and comfort such as Lainez Rooms and Suites. Boutique hotel offerings are a great option in the mountains, such as the quirky Garni Laurino. Whilst in Riva del Garda, you will want somewhere close to the action, such as Hotel Mirage.
Factbox
For more information on Trentino go to visittrentino.info/en
