Shepherds wander the slopes, herding goats along the trails and alpine expanses, beginning the cheese-making process.

BBC: Spain��s mountains made of cheese

The settlers worked hard, clearing the forests along the valley floors, and making their living from livestock in a region where few crops grow well, but Alpine meadows are pasture for goats and cattle which produce unrivalled milk and cheese.

BBC: Hiking the Alpine Walserweg trail

Even wines with particularly high acidity like the 2010 Hauner Salina Bianco, a mostly Malvasia white wine from Sicily, or the 2009 Grosjean Petite Arvine, a white wine from the alpine climes of the Valle d'Aoste were acceptable with a bit of pasta or a piece of cheese on the side.

WSJ: Italian Wines, the World's Best With Food | On Wine by Lettie Teague