Truffle Shuffle

The black cauldron: one of the butchers of Maison Paillot proudly stirring Boudin Noir over wood fire

Last month we experience a humble, little black truffle fair in the enchanted medieval village of Noyers-sur-Serein, in the Burgundy region of France. The highlight was the large steaming cauldron, with coils of handmade Boudin Noir, french blood sausage, nestled and steaming inside. The esteemed butcher,  his two sons, and his entire staff put on quite the show in front of their butcher shop and epicerie. 

Boudin blanc, veal and milk sausage with black truffles being made behind this table and sold just as fast.

Fresh giant Gougére, the iconic savory Burgundian cheese puff profiterole 

Master butcher, Denis Paillot, offers smoked andouille to his smallest and biggest fan 

The black truffles we got this year were eaten before they could be photographed...so here's a photo of our black truffles from a previous truffle fair in Noyers

White Gold

This month we visited the Piedmont region of Italy to wander through the autumnal vineyards and get dizzy from local, intoxicating white truffles...

ALBA TRUFFLE FAIR

Marilyn Monroe, Alfred Hitchcock, Sophia Loren, Gerard Depardieu, Alain Delon and many more...all loving on the truffle

In preparation for our trip down to Alba, I put together a group of photographs from the 79th Truffle Auction that took place in the Grinzane Cavour Castle last year. The castle is also the headquarters for the Ordine dei Cavalieri del Tartufo e del Vini di Alba, The Order of the Knights of the Truffle and Wines of Alba. Here, master tasters screen all wines of the region and give them an official seal of approval.

The seal of the truffle and wine knights displayed on a bottle of Barbaresco

A chef negotiating outside the auction door & Adrian taking notes on how to be a truffle guard

 

Tartufo Bianco d'Alba

another slice of wild boar salami with truffles ... please

The Wild Bill Hickock of Tartufaios, truffle hunters

The Autumn vines of Cascina Delle Rose

Giovanna and her family , a bottle of their Dolcetto d'Alba

When visiting Piedmont, we always stay at the Cascina Delle Rose. They produce organic wines that are delicious and made with love. Giovanna takes good care of her guests and the small farmhouse inn has 3 rooms and 3 apartments for families or groups of 3 - 5. We have enjoyed tastings in her cellar, shared many stories in the living room and can't wait to return.When staying at the Cascina we feel as if we are sleeping at a friend's house.  Their logo reminds me of why I love their wine. Goodness.

If you ever see this label, buy the bottle

AUTUMN GOLD | TRUFFLES

It's that time of year again when truffles are hunted and the fall festivals begin. While spending time in Burgundy last week, we bought 2 Burgundy black truffles from a restaurateur. Our friend made some fresh pasta and we simply shaved tons of these mild but delicious summer truffles all over the place. 

Ingrid on a roll

This weekend we are heading to Alba, in the Piedmont region of northern Italy. This is our third annual trip to Italy for the white truffle experience. I am powerless over the white truffle.

a white truffle half moon before getting weighed for the shaving session

Last year we went to the white truffle auction in the Grinzane Cavour castle, at the end of the 79th White Truffle Festival. A tall, dark haired, Italian woman in a form fitting black dress and very low neckline , presented each truffle on a silver tray. She invited the auction audience to sniff her truffles and it looked as if the entire room was in a trance. I'm sure the person who bought this 750 gram truffle was intoxicated by the Alba truffle spell when they shelled out 100,000 Euro for it. Good thing it's a auction for charity.

photo: Getty Images