- Food & Wine
Culinary Ideas for Winter
Six gastronomic ideas to enjoy the typical traditional flavours of Lombardy, with convivial recipes and delicious tasting experiences
Winter in Lombardy offers opportunities to enjoy gastronomic experiences based on traditional recipes, getting away from the biting cold to surround yourselves with the warmth of some excellent cooking.
The enchanting villages and vibrant cities suggested in these six culinary ideas evoke immersive atmospheres and holiday season aromas, all based on regional delicacies. Wholesome flavours, typical dishes, and shared moments all come together to create tasting events with the flavour of home and sociability. Get ready to discover how the provinces of Lombardy light up with winter magic to take you on a unique taste and sensory exploration.
Mulled Wine in the Wineries (Oltrepò Pavese)
The Oltrepò Pavese is the cradle of ancient wine-making traditions, tied to farming culture and standing out for the rich versatility of the vines growing on the local hillsides. During the winter, the soft lights and warm fires in the wineries create the enveloping atmosphere where you can enjoy wine tastings with cheeses, cured meats, and local cakes and sweets. A multi-sensory experience with the addition of sociability and knowledge in a setting framed by a charming Pavian winter panorama.
Here, the Christmas celebrations offer the opportunity to explore the wineries in a way that goes beautifully with the season. The sweet, robust notes of Pavia’s red wines, like Pinot Nero, Barbera, Bonarda and Sangue di Giuda, are perfect to pair with spices when preparing mulled wine. You can ask for advice and tips from the growers to help you create your own drink using prime quality ingredients, or you can seek out local culinary experiences and try out recipes while enjoying the Christmas spirit.
Pizzocchero Workshop (Valtellina, SO)
Pizzoccheri are much more than simple pasta strips: they are the essence of Valtellina traditions, where the flavours that embrace you tell the story of the region. This irresistibly buttery recipe, with buckwheat pasta, local cheese, potatoes, and savoy cabbage comes from Teglio, but it is symbolic of conviviality and a warm family atmosphere all over Italy, especially in the Christmas period. Prepare and taste pizzoccheri in Valtellina, surrounded by snowy landscapes and the aroma of the festivities. A perfect occasion to get adults and children on-board for a truly authentic experience. From selecting the ingredients to the ancient art of rolling out pasta, the pizzoccheri workshop is an invitation to fall in love with the slow pace of the Valley, not only sharing the preparation of a dish, but also the deep bonds of affection that tie this recipe to the surrounding mountains.
Typical dinner in a lakeside village (Lake Annone, Lecco)
Lake Annone is the largest of the Brianza lakes and is surrounded by old, picturesque villages where you can satisfy your love of culture and history while exploring the local cuisine. A refuge at the foot of Mount Barro and Mount Cornizzolo, located midway between Brianza and Lecco, where you can get away from it all and enjoy quiet walks through the village streets and natural landscapes, finishing your day with a romantic dinner with views of the lake. The poetic atmosphere of the surroundings pairs beautifully with the cosy, intimacy of the typical restaurants and farmhouses. Here you can enjoy fish-based dishes, including the traditional risotto with perch, or meat dishes like marrowbone or cassoeula [typical winter dish] to be accompanied by Lombardy wines., Dishes to embody the transversal culinary spirit of this area, a crossroads of thousand-year-old stories, from the mountains and the lake.
Panettone tour (Milan)
Panettone, the cake that symbolises Christmas traditions in Milan, is a blend of culture and taste, with origins enhanced by stories and legends ranging from the Renaissance to the 18th century. It would seem, however, that the recipe we know today: a tall, soft caked filled with candied fruit and raisins, dates back to the early 1900s and that this cake baking artistry is what has been passed on to the present day. Over the years, the artisanal recipe has been enriched with new variations, culinary experimentation and innovative sensory combinations, changing shape and flavours in line with the passions of expert bakers. During the festive season, discovering the story and the evolutions of the panettone on a dedicated tour of bakeries, patisseries and artisanal stores is a great opportunity for enthusiasts and food lovers not to keep the panettone just for Christmas. A fun and curious way to rediscover the city through a cake that has become one of its symbols.
Tasting at the Christmas Markets (Mantua)
Until 26 December, Mantua is transformed into a brightly lit stage with Christmas lights, where the markets have an important role to play. Little wooden huts are home to artisan stalls, activities and festive initiatives are all around the city's piazzas, and the illuminations brighten up the streets of Mantua with their magical appeal. Walking through the markets will give you the opportunity to taste typical specialities from all over Italy, from Tyrolean confectionery to cured meats and cheeses from Abruzzo, plus chocolate from Piedmont and of course, Mantuan cuisine. Cheese and dairy products, food and wine stalls showcase the province with delights such as tortelli with pumpkin or sbrisolona, a delicious almond cake. Here you can find out about and purchase typical produce and enjoy a tasting at one of the city’s restaurants, in the charming renaissance setting, framed by the River Mincio. Just perfect for the festive period.
Traditional farmstead lunch (Province of Lodi)
The farmsteads of Lodi pay tribute to the food and wine traditions of the province with experiences to thrill your taste buds in a beautiful valley setting. Surrounded by cultivated fields immersed in the wintry atmosphere, with rural outlines that tell of centuries of history, lunch in a Lombardy farmstead, with its courtyards, brick porticoes and sloping roofs, is an opportunity to discover and consolidate the ties to the flavours of the land. From appetizers with Raspadura, a typical cheese served grated, and Lodi salami, to first courses like sausage risotto and main dishes including filled meat rolls, farmsteads and holiday farms offer delicious ideas for the perfect local food and culture experience. And don’t forget to try the tortionata, a tasty crumble cake, and also to combine your lunch out with a visit to Lodi and the surrounding area, where you can experience some of the history and traditions of the area.
