Quality products from South Tyrol

The beautiful South Tyrol has always been known and loved by tourists for its wonderful landscape, the hospitality of its locals, and its excellent culinary delicacies. However, this Alpine region is not only a place longed for by hikers and skiers, it is also an export powerhouse for numerous products.

South Tyrol, the Land of Apples

It's clear that South Tyrol is a land of apples. Apple orchards characterize the landscape in many parts of South Tyrol. The apple blossoms and even the frosty nights, during which frozen water forms a protective layer of ice over the young blossoms, are a spectacle of nature. With approximately 18,500 hectares, South Tyrol is the largest contiguous apple-growing region in Europe. More than 7,000 South Tyrolean farmers earn their living from this valuable round fruit—most of them for many generations. Every second apple in Italy and every tenth apple in Europe comes from South Tyrol. In total, nearly 20 apple varieties are grown in South Tyrol. The largest share is Golden Delicious, but Pink Lady, Gala, and the bright green Granny Smith are also popular apple varieties.

South Tyrolean apples are traditionally used for dishes such as apple strudel, "Apfelkiachl" (apple fritters), or "Apfelschmarrn" (shredded apple pancakes).

Speck – more than just food

An ingredient that is, of course, indispensable in South Tyrolean cuisine is South Tyrolean speck. Since 1996, "Südtiroler Speck" has been a protected geographical indication (PGI). Producers who want to adorn themselves with this seal of quality must adhere to the traditional production method. Only lean pork hind legs are used, rubbed with a typical spice mixture. Speck production follows the principle of "little salt, little smoke, and lots of fresh mountain air": it is thus made with both salt and air drying, as well as seasoning and smoking. It is this combination that makes South Tyrolean speck unique and distinguishes it from all other types of ham production.

"little salt, little smoke, and lots of fresh mountain air"

The term "speck" first appears in documents from the 18th century in South Tyrol. Since then, speck has been an integral part of South Tyrolean cuisine and culture. South Tyroleans love to gather for a "Marende" (snack) with a glass of red wine and a piece of speck, chatting leisurely about politics and life.

In Vinum Veritas – Wine Production in South Tyrol

The aforementioned wine for this "Marende" is, of course, also grown and produced in South Tyrol. Although South Tyrol is one of the smallest wine-growing regions in Italy with 40,000,000 bottles per year, it boasts a wide range of varieties for both white and red wines. The most common white wine varieties are Pinot Grigio, Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay, and Pinot Blanc. South Tyrolean white wines are considered premium wines and have received multiple awards. For example, in 2021, a total of 20 wines received the coveted "TreBicchieri" from Gambero Rosso's "Vini d'Italia" wine guide. The most widely cultivated red wine is the autochthonous—meaning native—Vernatsch grape variety. This light red wine has been cultivated in South Tyrol since the 16th century and pairs perfectly with a speck platter. Other important grape varieties include Pinot Noir and Lagrein. Lagrein is also an autochthonous variety, which was almost extinct in the late 1970s. Today, this powerful red wine, which pairs excellently with game dishes, is once again extremely popular.

However, South Tyrol has so much more to offer than just apples, wine, and speck.

Design and Craftsmanship from South Tyrolean Hands

The Alpine region is the birthplace of many world-renowned creatives such as architects, designers, musicians, and many more.

Matteo Thun from Bolzano, for example, is a renowned architect and designer. He is a son of the Thun family – manufacturers of the unmistakable Thun ceramic figurines. Among other things, Matteo Thun also designed the building for the Terme Merano – the thermal bath complex in the center of the spa town of Merano.

Another son of South Tyrol is product designer Harry Thaler. The trained goldsmith designs houses, interior furnishings such as chairs, and also bicycles. One of his most famous objects is the Pressed Chair, his final project at the Royal College of Art. What makes it special: the chair consists of a single piece of 2.5 mm thick aluminum sheet.

South Tyrolean craftsmanship is appreciated worldwide for its use of natural materials, skilled workmanship, and outstanding quality. There are many small carpentry businesses specializing in the use of South Tyrolean woods—including, of course, Swiss pine. The cozy farmhouses in South Tyrol are traditionally made of solid wood. Many hotels, restaurants, and shops still rely on the use of wood today, which lends a coziness to rooms like no other natural material. The famous Gröden carvings are also made of wood. Woodcarvers have been active throughout the Gröden Valley since 1730; they pass on their knowledge to the next generations in the art schools founded for this purpose.

In addition, new talents and future stars are trained at the Faculty of Design and Art of the Free University of Bozen, founded in 1997.

In addition to these luminaries from the fields of design and architecture, there is also another well-known South Tyrolean who can even call 3 Oscar awards his own. We are, of course, talking about the "Father of Disco," music producer and composer Giorgio Moroder. With his synthesizer-combined music, he significantly changed the world of dance music.

Family Businesses and Other South Tyrolean Quality Products

The importance of family and, consequently, family businesses is enormous in South Tyrol. South Tyrol's economy is essentially built on family businesses. One such family business is undoubtedly the Forst brewery. The Fuchs von Mannstein family has been running South Tyrol's largest brewery for four generations.

The Oberrauch Group, with its various business divisions, is also one of these family businesses. In the Oberrauch Zitt store in the Bolzano arcades, you can, among other things, buy designs from the cult brand Luis Trenker, named after the famous mountaineer, actor, and director.

Another flagship of the South Tyrolean production landscape is the Leitner company. Based in Vipiteno, the company specializes in the manufacture of cable cars and chairlifts. Leitner AG has realized projects worldwide: its lifts can be found in numerous ski resorts, and the prestigious "Mexicable" project, Mexico's first urban cable car, was also implemented by the South Tyrolean company.

Sources and further literature:

Leifers Branzoll Pfatten: Apfelland Südtirol. In: https://www.suedtirols-sueden.info/de/leifers/apfel-genuss/apfel/apfelland-suedtirol.html [As of 05.07.2021].

South Tyrolean Apple Consortium: The South Tyrolean Apple. In: https://www.suedtirolerapfel.com/de/qualitaet-aus-suedtirol.html [As of 05.07.2021].

Stol (March 11, 2021): Record: South Tyrol exported more than ever at the end of 2020. In: https://www.stol.it/artikel/wirtschaft/exporte-aus-suedtirol-erreichen-neuen-rekord-im-4-quartal-2020 [As of 03.07.2021].

Harry Thaler Studio: PRESSED CHAIR. In: http://harrythaler.it/ [As of 03.07.2021].

South Tyrolean Speck Consortium: Step by step to a ham specialty. In: https://www.speck.it/herstellung/ [As of 05.07.2021].

Photos: Benjamin Pfitscher Photographer