The basket
The valleys of Canavese, particularly the hilly areas of Alto Canavese and Valle Sacra, are known for the production of vegetables and fruits, especially small fruits and the exquisite apples, cultivated naturally through integrated or organic farming methods (which you can find from our members L’Orto di Alby in Valperga and Agriturismo La Bedina in Rivara). From these fruits and vegetables, local companies produce jams, fruit juices, creams, sauces, pickles, and other specialties. The beautiful vineyards that characterize the gentle landscape of the hills around the Sacred Mount of Belmonte produce a light and sparkling red wine derived from mixed grape varieties, predominantly Nebbiolo. Recently, these areas have been included in the Canavese DOC and are starting new productions of great interest. The “historic” wine locations of the Canavese Valleys, however, are undoubtedly the extraordinary slopes of Carema, an area of terraced vineyards on the Dora Baltea, clinging to the rocks, with the typical stone topion, where the prestigious Nebbiolo di Carema DOCG is produced. Associated with the Consortium are Azienda Agricola Caretto, Azienda Agricola Orsolani, Azienda Agricola Massoglia, Tenuta Roletto, and Cantina Gnavi, which produce all the DOC and DOCG wines of Canavese: Erbaluce di Caluso, Passito, Erbaluce Spumante Metodo Classico, Canavese Rosso, and Canavese Bianco. In addition to wine, a fine craft beer is also produced here, at Laboratorio Hopster in Cuorgnè. As for spirits, the specialty of the alpine valleys of Canavese is genepì, produced by Stella Alpina within the Gran Paradiso National Park, in harmony with nature. Among the related products, we also remember numerous bitters. Produced directly by the Consortium is Amaro Arduino, a herbal liqueur from the Canavese Valleys, which you can find exclusively at our member restaurants.
The cheeses
The cheeses reach their peaks of typicality and quality in cow’s milk or goat’s milk tomini, whether fresh or aged, and in alpine cow’s milk tome, sometimes flavored with herbs and chili pepper or crafted into traditional products like bross and salignon. The Toma di Ceresole, mentioned in historical documents as early as the 1400s, and the Civrin della Valchiusella represent some of the region’s unique dairy specialties, but every area has its own specificities, contributing to a magnificent gastronomic biodiversity.
The cheeses can be paired with honey and fruit preserves produced in the valleys, from the typical Canavese mustard (a sort of cognà) to more daring combinations that blend tradition and innovation (pears and saffron, fruit and vegetable chutney) which you can find at the agriturismo La Terra di Mezzo in Filia di Castellamonte.
Cured meats
The production of cured meats also has its glorious moments with the typical potato salami, to be consumed fresh, and rustic lard. Another typical cured meat is mocetta, a sausage once made with chamois and now with goat meat.
Desserts
Among the typical sweets, we have the Nocciolini di Chivasso, soft amaretti, paste di meliga, butter torcetti, the ancient giuraje, and Gran Paradiso pralines.
Honey
Produced on a small scale but with remarkable variety and quality, the local honey (chestnut, rhododendron, dandelion, alpine flora, acacia) can be found at the beekeeper La Margherita in Caselle.
Also of interest are the forest products such as wild berries, wild herbs, chestnuts, and mushrooms.
Corn, Hemp
With the flours from ancient local corn varieties, Pignoletto Rosso and Nostrano dell’Isola, in addition to paste di meliga, magnificent polentas are made, perfect for pairing with cheeses or game, as well as biscuits and crispbreads. You can find these products at the Caretto farm in San Giorgio Canavese.
Among the ancient products that have been recently rediscovered is hemp, which is used to produce oil, flours, biscuits, pasta, bread, pesto, and even canapotti (hemp giandujotti) and canapella (hemp spread), and serves as a base for numerous recipes. One of the producers of hemp-based food products is the Pozzoforte farm in Borgomasino, which markets under the name Green Italy.
