Valle d'Aosta is a small region in the mountains to the north west of Piedmont in north western Italy.
A valley in Lombardy in the north of Italy extending from the Ortler mountain group down to Lake Como near Switzerland. It is mainly known for its skiing, its Bitto cheeses and wines made from Chiavennasca (the local name for Nebbiolo) grapes. It provides a pass between Italy and Germany and as such has had strategic importance. Most wines have the appellation DOC and DOCG, the most well-known being: Inferno, Grumello, Sassella and Sforzato (Sfurzat). As Vino Mania Wines say (link below): Everything in Valtellina's terraced, mountainous vineyards must be accomplished by hand as the steepness of the slopes makes mechanization impossible. The variation between day and night temperatures and the breeze from Lake Como results in wines of penetrating flavours and great character.
Wild tassel hyacinth. Muscari. A wild bitter-tasting bulb found in mountainous regions, similar to an onion. It must be soaked to remove the bitterness and may be boiled or included in stews. When really young the bulbs may be used in salads.
