Autumn in Piedmont is a magical time, and among its undisputed stars is the truffle, the precious “white gold” of Italian cuisine. The Langhe and Monferrato, lands of food and wine excellence, host fairs dedicated to this extraordinary product of the earth every year, attracting enthusiasts and gourmands from all over the world.
The Langhe: The International Alba White Truffle Fair
In the beautiful city of Alba, the heart of the Langhe, one of the most important global events dedicated to the white truffle takes place: the International Alba White Truffle Fair, which will be held from October 12 to December 8, 2024, and is truly an unmissable event for truffle lovers.
This fair has ancient roots and certainly represents a moment of celebration and self-celebration of the food and wine culture and traditions of the Langhe. The city comes alive with markets, tastings, show cooking, and cultural events! It offers a unique experience to those who visit! So, if you have never been there, now is the right time to plan.
The World Market of the Alba White Truffle is one of the main moments of the fair, where the truffle hunters and merchants present the best specimens of white truffle, certified by the Quality Commission experts. This is where connoisseurs can purchase the finest truffles and participate in charity auctions every Saturday and Sunday during the fair period.
Tasting, buying, and savoring the truffle is, of course, also an opportunity to visit the Langhe (even if you’ve already seen them, it’s always worth it 😊) and to participate in events such as vineyard walks, winery visits, and food and wine evenings.
And up to this point, most of what has been said is already well-known!
Truffle in Monferrato
Let’s add an unexpected stop that will surprise you: Monferrato.
Because that’s exactly how it is, even if it’s not often talked about, Monferrato also celebrates the truffle with numerous events, including the National Truffle Fair of Moncalvo (the smallest city in Italy) and the fairs held in the province of Asti.
Moncalvo hosts one of the oldest truffle fairs in Monferrato, known for its authentic atmosphere and the quality of the truffles displayed. You will find a great selection of white and black truffles and can taste them in the local restaurants, of course.
In the province of Asti, truffle fairs multiply, with events held in various locations, including Montiglio Monferrato (which I mention because it is dear to us). These fairs, although less well-known than the one in Alba, offer more intimate and, as I said before, authentic experiences.
Among the most important events, we certainly find Murisengo, where the National Trifola d’Or Truffle Fair will be held from November 13 to 20, 2024, and San Sebastiano Curone from November 20 to 27 with the National White and Black Truffle Fair.
I also recommend visiting and dining in the local restaurants participating in the “Truffle Tables,” where you can enjoy special truffle-based menus throughout the season (https://www.visitlmr.it) (Itineraries in Taste).
Here are a few names:
Ristorante Il Cascinale Nuovo (Isola d’Asti): famous for its refined Piedmontese cuisine, offers dishes such as tajarin with white truffle.
Ristorante I Caffi (Acqui Terme): offers innovative cuisine rooted in tradition, perfect for enjoying truffle paired with local products.
Ristorante San Marco (Canelli): here you can find tasting menus that highlight white truffle in combination with the best local wines.
Remember, however, these are just a few examples; the list of participating restaurants is really extensive! For a complete and updated list, I recommend visiting the official website of the truffle events in the region (Itineraries in Taste).
The official website for truffle-related events, particularly for the International Alba White Truffle Fair, is fieradeltartufo.org.
For truffle fairs in Monferrato, you can find updated and detailed information on Alexala, which is the official website of the local tourist reception and promotion agency of Alessandria and Monferrato.
May the truffle be with you and… until next time!
