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A
feast of wine and truffles in Alba
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We
go wine and truffle tasting in the Langhe in Southern
Piedmont.
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 Of
all Piedmont's towns and cities Alba
is without doubt the most alcoholic. Birthplace
of the Roman Emperor Pertinax, Alba is the most
important wine-producing town in the Langhe. Well
worth a visit at any time of the year, Alba comes
into its own in Autumn during the grape season and
truffle harvest. So prized are its magical mushrooms
and truffles that for the past 72 years Alba
has hosted the National
truffle fair complete with tastings and presided
over by King Truffle himself.
The best way to visit Alba
is on foot. Stroll around the most important monuments:
the Cathedral, the Dò family house from the
15th century, the Maddalena Church built
in Baroque style and St. John the Baptist's Church.
You can also visit the town's three towers - in
Via Cavour, Piazza Duomo and Via Vittorio Emanuele
II - and imagine what it was like in the past when
Alba reportedly boasted 100 towers.
 Take
a trip out of town to visit the local wineries.
On the road to Barbaresco you can see the Nebbiolo
vineyards used for making Barbaresco wine. Fans
of Dolcetto should head towards Diano for a glass
of their favourite tipple. The area is thick with
restaurants and osterias where you can sample the
best of local produce or click
here for a virtual feast.
Autumn in Alba also means traditional folk festivals
and fairs. The most famous one is the Giostra
delle Cento Torri (100 Towers Tournament) which
is also known as the Palio degli Asini (Donkey
race) and takes place on the first Sunday in October.
Confused? Click here
to find out more . Before you go don't forget to
visit the Barolo
Chapel, a deconsecrated church that has been
renovated and painted by the American artist Sol
LeWitt. Not unlike the churches decorated by Matisse,
Cocteau and Picasso on the Côte d'Azur, the
chapel is open on weekends only in nearby Brunate
La Morra.
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| by
MARCELLO
PARMEGGIANI |
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May
2001
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THE SURVIVOR'S 
