While Romans originally settled Alba Pompeia, it wasn’t until 1788 that Vittorio Pico gave an official name to the fungus with an astonishing earthy, woody, cheese-like aroma and flavor.  Its rare nature and rumors of aphrodisiac qualities spread through Europe, quickly making it one of the most expensive items on the menu.  Recently scientists have discovered a volatile alcohol closely related to testosterone, so the rumors may be more than that.  After the Second World War, Giacomo Morro spent much of his life bringing the Alba White Truffle to the world.  Today it is the only guaranteed truffle, each one being carefully evaluated by experts before it is sold. Every truffle must be found, and since they grow totally underground beneath specific trees under precise conditions, help is needed.  Traditionally, female pigs were used to sniff them out, but Truffle hunters, or trifulau, now train dogs for the job, as they are less likely to eat the delicacy.

Medieval traditions will capture your imagination during the Truffle Bacchanal, a celebration of music, wine and food held on one Saturday night a year.  With torches, period costumes, traditional dances and performances, centuries will slip away for the evening.  Smells of local cured meats, Piemonte wine, cheese, chocolate and, of course, Alba Truffle dishes are sure to keep your appetite strong.  You can visit The Tartufi Morra shop and honor the father of the Alba truffle trade.  It is in the historical center of town and you can smell or own the White Truffle in many forms, from condiments to finished foods.

The Donkey Race is a hilarious, fun part of the festivities.  It was started to mock the famous horse race in Asti, as in the 13th century Asti conquered Alba, burned the wine vineyards and smugly held their horse race in the defeated town.  Now in the Palio degli Asini, hundreds of costumed figures parade to trumpets and drums, waving banners and flags to start the race.  While all in fun, the competition is fierce, with each district trying to win the race and the crowd’s admiration.  Another costumed festival is the Investiture of the Podesta.  The most powerful magistrate of the late 12th century onward, the Podesta is awarded the title and paid his due homage as part of the White Truffle Festival.

It is said White Truffles are at their flavorful peak within three days of harvest.  A number of markets during the Fair will delight the novice or the expert Truffle connoisseur. Hundreds of vendors will offer Piemonte wine, food, produce and crafts.  Medieval sorcerers attended such fairs, and you might see some again. Today, the love of nature those sorcerers practiced is called organic agriculture, and it guarantees the freshest, most flavorful of Italian produce and local wine, including the famous Alba Truffle.

Ingredients (for 6 people)

• 1 pheasant
• butter, onion, carrot
• 1 glas of white wine
• stock, salt and pepper
• white truffle from Alba

Clean the pheasant, divide it into pieces, brown it with butter, onion, carrot, a pinch of salt, moisten it with a glass of white wine and a little boiling broth. Add pepper as necessary, cover the casserole and reduce the heat.

When the pheasant is cooked, dilure juices with boiling broth, strain it, return it to the heat and reduce it to a syrupy consistency.

Pour the sauce on the pieces of pheasant, already on a serving plate, covering them with a truffle from Alba.

Recommended wines
Perfect with a Nebbiolo d’Alba or a Roero DOC