- Black and white truffles in the Langhe and Monferrato: types and differences
- The types of truffle in the Langhe and Monferrato
- Where truffles are found in the Langhe and how to prepare for the hunt
- Trifulau and tabui: the truffle hunter and his dog on the trail
- Truffle hunting in Piedmont: be a trifulau for a day
- How the guided truffle-hunting experience unfolds
- When to enjoy the truffle-hunting experience in Piedmont
With the arrival of autumn, the truffle-hunting season returns to the Langhe and Monferrato! Here, the land doesn’t just favour wines loved the world over; hidden beneath the surface grows another precious treasure—the truffle—so prized it has earned the nicknames “white gold” and “black gold” of the Langhe and Monferrato.
Truffle hunting is an art that demands experience and deep knowledge of the territory, of the truffle itself, and of the best soil and weather conditions—know-how still handed down by the trifulau, the truffle hunter.
It’s with the trifulau and his loyal dog – “tabui” in Piedmontese – that you can dive into this fascinating world, uncovering curiosities and traditions… and, with a bit of luck, find this delicious treasure!
FEEL THE THRILL OF TRUFFLE HUNTING
Black and white truffles in the Langhe and Monferrato: types and differences
Several truffle varieties can be found in Piedmont, among the woods of Monferrato and the Langhe, each with specific characteristics.
They differ in the veining of the gleba (the inner flesh), in aroma, flavour, and texture. Despite differences that may seem obvious, correctly identifying each type isn’t easy: it takes real experience.
The types of truffle in the Langhe and Monferrato
The most prized, and probably best knownis the Alba White Truffle (Tuber magnatum Pico), also called Fine White Truffle. Its surface is irregular yet smooth, and its flavour is bold and intense. It is the only truffle that cannot be cultivated. It grows from October to January, though how it forms under mycorrhised trees remains a mystery.
There are several types of black truffle, each with its own traits and seasonality. The Prized Black Truffle, unlike others, has a softer texture.
The Summer Black Truffle (Tuber aestivum Vittadini), nicknamed “scorzone” for its hard, rough black-brown rind with large pyramidal warts, is harvested from June to August. It has a delicate aroma and a decided yet not overly intense flavour; it is the variety most used in the food industry and has a low commercial value.
The Hooked Autumn Truffle (Tuber uncinatum Chatin), also known as “moscato”, is more delicate and is harvested from September to December.
The Smooth Black Truffle (Tuber macrosporum Vittadini) has a smooth, irregular rind and an aroma reminiscent of the white truffle, even more intense, as is the flavour. It shares the soil type and season of the white truffle, October to January, and is often called “the truffle of truffle hunters,” their favourite.
Where truffles are found in the Langhe and how to prepare for the hunt
Finding truffles is a skill trifulau guard jealously: pinpointing the right places is anything but easy, and they keep their secrets to themselves.
Considering the breadth of the woods and the impossibility of spotting, with the naked eye, where the subsoil has the right characteristics, one thing is clear: experience is essential.
These locations are passed down orally within families from generation to generation. To be sure you’ll feel the thrill of a find, the answer is simple: follow a trifulau into the woods!
Trifulau and tabui: the truffle hunter and his dog on the trail
During the ripening periods, the trifulau moves silently through woods and clearings with his faithful tabui, the truffle dog, in search of the most prized of fungi.
In addition to his dog, the truffle hunter relies on a few essential tools and skills:
- Lo zappino (a small, legally required digging tool) to gently extract the truffle.
- A licence.
- A great deal of experience: beyond knowing where to look, a trifulau must read the woods—their rhythms, temperature shifts, pressure changes, frosts, even lunar cycles—all factors that influence truffle ripening. They also choose the right zappino for each soil and use it properly to avoid damaging the truffle.
Truffle hunting in Piedmont: be a trifulau for a day
It may seem a calling for a chosen few, but stepping into a trifulau’s shoes is an experience anyone can try, even if only for a few hours.
In Cocconato, in the woods between Monferrato and the Langhe, starting from Cantina Bava, you can join a guided truffle-hunting experience with an expert trifulau and his tabui.
How the guided truffle-hunting experience unfolds
After putting on suitable outdoor clothing, a short briefing explains how to approach the woods and the natural environment. Then it’s time for the actual hunt.
You enter the forest with the trifulau and his dogs, who bring their incredible talent into play: while the hunter knows the secret places, the dogs, with their noses, remember the paths, show the way, and sniff out ripe truffles.
This is an authentic adventure: surrounded by woodland, you’ll follow the dogs hoping to find a specimen of this precious fungus, and it’s not guaranteed you’ll succeed.
Back at the winery, you can round off the experience with a guided tasting of three signature Cantina Bava wines, paired with a sample of the truffles found during the hunt.
When to enjoy the truffle-hunting experience in Piedmont
Autumn is the ideal season for white truffle and prized black truffle, and the most evocative time for a woodland excursion amid the foliage, when the hills blaze with colour.
The experience “Journey between truffle and wine at Cantina Bava” is available daily, from October to December, by reservation.