 Truffle Mania
Discovering Piedmont's buried treasures What's worth its weight in gold? Piedmont's fragrant white truffles. November is the month
they're hunted, sold, and celebrated in Alba, truffle capital of Piedmont. This mini-tour delves into the mystique and
business of truffles as it showcases the truffle's best friends: big, red Barolo and Barbaresco. 2009 dates: [3 days/2 nights] Cost: $1,645; single supplement $175.
From the mountainous region of Piedmont called the Langhe come its best wine, truffles, and mushrooms. The Alte Langhe, or high hills, are also the source of Piedmont mountain cheeses. Our welcome lunch takes us to an artisan cheese farm, where we'll enjoy a buffet featuring fresh cheese, local honey and other regional treats. We'll then head to the town of Barolo for a stroll and lesson in the 19th century origins of "the king of wines and wine of kings." Here we'll have an in-depth tasting at a leading Barolo producer, Silvio Grasso. Dinner is in the elegant medieval town of Alba. Here we'll sample our first truffle dishes, such as homemade egg pasta laced with white truffle shavings. | ||
 Day 2
- To market, to market Every weekend in November, truffle hunters, gourmands, and restaurateurs convene in Alba. This morning we too will browse the truffle market, where truffle spreads, truffle oil, truffle books, and the whole tubers are for sale. Alba's gourmet shops also offer local specialties like risotto, dried porcini, hazelnuts, and chocolate. In the afternoon it's off to the town of Barbaresco, where we'll be introduced to Piedmont's other regal red wine. We'll visit Boffa, an esteemed family-run estate that creates excellent single-vineyard examples of Barbaresco. Returning to Alba, we'll enjoy some hot chocolate in an elegant 19th century coffee house. Dinner is in Alba at a Slow Foods restaurant, where we'll hunt for truffles on the menu. | ||
Meet a real truffle hunter and his dog, who will provide an in-field demonstration. He'll then join us for a light lunch. As we break bread and share wine, you'll get a true picture of la dolce vita. Then a shuttle to the Asti or Tortona train station (depending on your final destination), arriving at the station by four in the afternoon. Arrivederci! Price includes: 3-star hotel in Alba, 2 dinners with wine, 2 lunches, all wine tastings mentioned, admission to truffle fair. Not included: airfare, personal expenses, anything not mentioned as included. | ||
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