Anyone who has ever visited South Tyrol in autumn will have heard the word “Törggelen”. Törggelen is an ancient tradition that is mainly practised along the Wine Road and in the Eisack Valley – but also everywhere where wine is grown. But Törggelen has also changed over time and you can learn some facts about Törggelen or the so-called “fifth season” of South Tyroleans here.
Origin of the Törggelen
In the past, after the wine press, family, friends, wine merchants and all the harvest workers feasted and drank together on the successful harvest. The fresh “Sußer” (grape must in the first days of fermentation) and young wine was drunk and accompanied by simple dishes of South Tyrolean cuisine such as bacon, rye bread and Kaminwurzen. The name Törggelen comes from the “Torggl” – this is what the wine press is called in South Tyrol.Törggelen Today
Today, Törggelen is often used as a get-together with friends and families and no longer only simple dishes are served, but there is usually a large selection of different dishes. For starters, typical South Tyrolean dishes such as barley soup, liver dumpling soup, tris (cheese dumplings, spinach dumplings and Schlutzkrapfen, which are rye dumplings filled with spinach and curd cheese) are served. For the main course, a slaughter platter is placed in the middle, where everyone then scoops out their meat. The butcher’s platter usually contains quite hearty dishes such as ribs, sauerkraut, fried potatoes, various types of sausage (house sausage and black pudding) and “sur” meat. Mustard and cress are also served. For dessert, “Köschtn”, i.e. roasted chestnuts, and sweet doughnuts filled with various jams are served. The house wine of the Buschenschank is drunk, and schnapps rounds off the meal. 😊Törggele Hike
Törggelen is usually combined with a hike through the vineyards, where every colour is reflected in the leaves of the vines. Breathe in the fresh autumn air and enjoy the warm autumn sun on your face. In the course of the hike you stop at various Buschenschänken to enjoy a glass of the “new wine” and then the hike continues. The last wine tavern is then the place to stop and enjoy a glass of the “new wine”, and then the hike continues.
Tips for Törggelen
- For the last Buschenschank, where you want to stay longer and also dine, a reservation is definitely recommended, as the demand in this short time is very high and the supply is limited.
- The proper equipment makes the whole experience much more pleasant. Warm clothes, good shoes and prepared for all weathers. The typical “Zwiebellook” is particularly suitable for Törggelen, as it is usually particularly warm in the “Stuben” and outside it tends to get a little cooler, especially towards evening.
- The right company makes a big difference. Toasting together with friends, clubs or family and singing songs is fun for everyone and you can enjoy the time together.
- For vegans and vegetarians, it is certainly an advantage to make sure in advance that there is something for everyone on the menu, as Törggelen is usually very meat-heavy. A glass of water in between meals makes the next day a lot easier 😉
Now nothing stands in the way of a Törggele hike. Enjoy nature, the fresh air and strolling through the vineyards coloured in gold and red. The next day, spend a leisurely day at the hotel and let yourself be pampered in the spa, reviewing the hike and digesting the delicious Törggele food. Falkensteiner also has some hotels where you can enjoy the Acquapura Spa to the full:
- Falkensteiner Hotel & Spa Antholz
- Falkensteiner Family Resort Lido
- Falkensteiner Hotel & Spa Falkensteinerhof
- Falkensteiner Hotel Sun Paradise
- Falkensteiner Hotel Kronplatz
