Truffle Report #1 – Italy 2009

A very healthy rain arrived in Tuscany about a week before I did, somewhat improving truffle conditions after another very dry year.  The last few days have been beautiful, but we seem to be moving into another rainy period which is good timing for truffle hunting, as long as it doesn’t get too wet.

Here are some of Giorgio’s new recruits, five-week-old truffle dogs.   They are already being given bits of truffle treats and seem to like it.

Dinner my first night here in Tuscany at Giorgio and Paola’s home:

Tortellini in brodo

Fried egg with black truffle

Fried egg with white truffle

Wild chicories

Minced black truffle and hazelnut bruschetta

Georgio's eggs with white truffles

Georgio's eggs with white truffles

Actual truffle collection for the Oliveto Truffle Dinners won’t begin for another two weeks.  So I’ve been busy video-taping wine producers in the region for a new project in conjunction with the Oliveto Community Journal: a Wine Journal.  The first day in Chianti, Roberto Stucchi and I went to Fontodi in Panzano to tape a segment with Giovanni Menetti.   He showed us the vineyards, his massive compost heaps (Fontodi wines are now organic), and his herd of twenty-four Chianina (large white cattle with beautiful black eyes).

That led us to see Dario Cecchini, the beyond colorful Panzano butcher, for a visit and a terrific lunch of mostly meat.

bob & dario italy 2009

The next day I visited Felsina in Castelnuovo Berandenga, and on Saturday I visited our Brunello producer in Montalcino, Canalicchio di Sopra.

More soon.  And Truffle Dinners beginning on November 17th!

Bob

Sent from my iPhone

1 Response to “Truffle Report #1 – Italy 2009”


  1. Adam Saint-Prix

    Bob,

    You look like you had a blast. Looks delicious.

    Adam

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