Truly Truffle Town

Published Oct. 16, 2009 at 6:45 a.m.
At this time of year the "Fiera del Tartufo Bianco d'Alba" (The annual White Truffle Festival) takes place each weekend during October in Alba. A great chance to taste rich fare in this charming town in Southern Piedmont.
"During the festival, the town takes on a different hue and scent as the distinct musky flavour of the famous 'Tartufo d'Alba' permeates the streets."

So now is a good time to share some of the town's history and some of my favourite things to do in this charming town in Southern Piedmont, via my new 'Alba Travel Guide' which is now published on the ItalyItalia.com website.

Here is a small taster (pardon the pun!) from "My Alba"

"In the words of the famous Italian writer Cesare Pavese: "I remember our last dinner in the Langhe, in that silence broken only by the noise of the crickets, in that charming landscape, among simple folk, old-time people. The table smelling exquisitely of truffles and the smell in the air mixed with that of Barolo wine. From the windows, the hills had curves like a woman’s body."

Alba is the capital of the Langhe and very rich in history. It was probably founded by the Ligurian tribe of Stazielli, however it was not until 89 B.C. that Alba Pompeia was established as a Roman municipium. The historical centre of Alba offers us a reminder of what life was like amongst the concentration of famous towers, arcades, churches, private palaces and tower houses where the local citizens carried on their civil and social life.

Once called the 'town of a hundred towers', powerful local families tried to outdo each other by building taller and taller towers during the XIV and XV century. The main street via Vittorio Emanuele II, known locally by its old name of via Maestra, today combines some of these medieval and renaissance buildings with designer shopping, gourmet delights and wine bars."


By the way, these little beauties, "Tartufo Bianco", were spotted this week at a mere 3500 euro per kilo!









For the complete Alba guide at ItalyItalia: 'click here'









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