piedmont

Record-setting Truffle Makes One Pricey Meal

It may not be the prettiest food we've ever seen but the 750-gram (26-ounce) white truffle shown above, is one pricey delicacy. The "Queen Tartufo" Alba ttruffle recently was auctioned off for $208,000 and will be served at a banquet in Hong Kong. The truffle had been shipped from Alba in Italy's Piedmont region to Hong Kong for the charity auction which benefits Mother's Choice, a charity that provides care for pregnant women.

It's an expensive year for the truffle market. A bad truffle season in Alba has driven prices up to an average of $4,000 a pound with small truffles less than an inch in diameter sells for around $50. Luckily you don't need a lot of truffle to make an impact. A few thin shavings over pasta or an omelette can make a simple meal luxurious. Black truffles from Italy are a cheaper alternative at $500 a pound. Or you can always go American, Oregon white truffles can be found for $40 for three ounces. They aren't held in quite as high regard as Italian truffles but they are gaining in popularity and there is even an Oregon Truffle festival held in January.

Source

Tags: alba, auction, hong kong, italy, oregon, piedmont, spending, truffles

2001 Bruno Rocca Barbaresco Rabaja

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wine

Barbaresco, the strong and sexy wine made of Nebbiolo grapes from the Piedmont region of Italy is known by wine lovers as being a delicious companion for beef dishes and is way to experience something other than those Napa cult Cabernets (delightful though they are). An article by father-and-daughter wine writing duo, Frank and Kate Sutherland, rates five Barbarescos with an eye toward finding tastes of black and red fruit.2001 They gave top honors to the Bruno Rocca Barbaresco Rabaja praising the aromas of blackberries and Dr. Pepper-like sarsaparilla. It was the most expensive wine on their list (they say it costs $109.99 but it can be found for as low as around $90 at various places) but they report it is worth the money. The wine has also received a 93 from Wine Spectator. It's definitely going on my want-to-drink list.

Source

Tags: barbaresco, bruno rocca, BrunoRocca, italian wine, piedmont, wine