October is white truffle month in Piemonte and the annual Alba truffle festival celebrating the famous 'tartufo bianco' truffles is a massive event.

Alba is also home of the Associazione Nazionale 'Città del Tartufo' which was formed in 1990.

The aim of the association is to present a single reference point for anyone interested in the Italian truffle in much the same way the 'Strada del Vino' and the 'Città d'Arte' do for wine and culture.

The 'Associazione Nazionale Città del Tartufo' represents 19 towns in central Italy who produce truffles commercially. These range from Norcia in Umbria to S.Giovanni d'Asso in Tuscany, Acqualagna in Marche and Agnone in 'Alto Molise'.

Truffle hunters who can't get to Alba should escort their pigs to Lombardia (Borgofranco sul Po), Liguria (Alta Val Bormida), Emilia Romagna (Savigno), Tuscany (San Giovanni d'Asso), Marche (Sant'Agata Feltria), Umbria (Norcia), Lazio (Leonessa) and Molise (San Pietro Avellana).

Nevertheless, Alba is now the main market for both the truffle output of Piemonte and a large part of Italy e.g. Monferrato, Oltrepò Pavese, Emilia Romagna and Marche.

Truffles are especially mysterious and secretive things. Whether black or white, do we know really enough to bluff our way through a Piemonte wine book launch.

The 'Charter of Specific Qualties for the Tuber Magnatum Pico' by the 'Associazione per Il Centro Nazionale Studi Tartufo' in Alba reveals all, and we have a copy.

Here are a few tips we are happy to share.

The largest specimen of white truffle in the world was found in 1954 in the district of San Miniato in a village called Balconevisi. It weighed 2520 grams and traveled across the Atlantic to be donated to the President of the United States, Dwight Eisenhower.

This short vacation break in Le Marche features truffle hunting, a cooking lesson based on truffles, wine tasting and guided excursions.

The package has been put together by Le Marche Holiday based near Ascoli Piceno and is spread over 4 days and 3 nights..

It is an ideal weekend break where you will also enjoy lunch in local trattorie, learn how to make hand-made pasta and even visit a traditional potter.

The fun starts with a welcome aperitif and dinner at the restaurant of your accommodation.

Our choice of where to eat dishes made with the famous truffles of Acqualagna in the province of Pesaro Urbino in Le Marche.

All are recommended by the Tourism Office of the Comune of Acqualagna and almost all are located in the historical centre of the town or along the Via Flaminia.

If you have eaten in any of those listed below, then do leave a review or comment at the bottom of the page.

Acqualagna, of course, is Italy's truffle capital and holds the National Fair every late October to early November.

RISTORANTE LOCANDA DEL PELLEGRINO
strada Fangacci 25, Acqualagna
tel 0721 708296
www.locandadelpellegrino.it

RISTORANTE LAMPINO
Via Risorgimento 30, Acqualagna
tel 0721 798674
www.ristorantelampino.it

RISTORANTE IL VICOLO
Corso Roma 39, Acqualagna
tel 0721 797145

TRATTORIA DA VOLGARDO
Via Candigliano, Acqualagna
tel 0721 798123

RISTORANTE OSTERIA DEL PARCO
Via Mochi 11/13, Acqualagna
tel 0721 797139

RISTORANTE PIZZERIA 2000
via Flaminia Nord 68, Cagli
tel 0721 797139

RISTORANTE PIZZERIA LA TANA DEL LUPO
via Flaminia SN
tel 0721 797247

RISTORANTE PALAZZINA SABATELLI
Loc. La Palazzina, S.Ippolito
tel 0721 749185
www.palazzinasabatelli.it

AGRITURISMO DEL FRONTINO
Strada Frontino 23, Acqualagna
tel 0721 708196
www.agriturismodelfrontino.com

ANTICO FURLO
Via Flaminia 66, Acqualagna
tel 0721 700096
www.anticofurlo.it

AGRITURISMO PIEVE DEL COLLE
Via Pieve del Colle, Urbania
tel 0722 317945
www.pievedelcolle.com