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White truffle in Monferrato: the star of autumn

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There are aromas that announce a season even before the calendar does. In Monferrato, that of the white truffle is among the most distinctive.

Tuber magnatum Pico is one of the most prized ingredients in Piedmontese cuisine. It grows naturally underground, in symbiosis with the roots of specific tree species, and it is precisely the relationship with the soil, humidity and surrounding environment that gives it its unique character and intense aroma.

Its search is entrusted to the trifolau and his dog, protagonists of an ancient practice based on experience, knowledge of the woods and respect for nature’s rhythms. It is no coincidence that truffle hunting and extraction in Italy have been recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

White Truffle season coincides with autumn, when the vineyards change colour, the woods take on deeper tones and the kitchen returns to celebrating the ingredients and recipes of tradition.

His majesty the Alba white truffle at Tenuta Montemagno

It is during this season that Tenuta Montemagno presents “His majesty the Alba white truffle”, a two-day stay with a gourmet dinner designed to continue the story of the truffle at the table.

The white truffle becomes the guiding thread of a gastronomic dinner that explores some of the most representative flavours of Piedmontese cuisine: from Fassona beef tartare to egg tagliolini or Monferrato-style agnolotti, through to pan-fried egg, each dish enhanced with 5 g of Alba white truffle per person.

A selection of wines from the estate accompanies the experience, chosen to create a natural dialogue between cuisine and territory.

A way to experience White Truffle not simply as an ingredient, but as an expression of Piedmontese autumn and the landscape of Monferrato.

An ingredient best treated with simplicity

Part of the fascination of White Truffle lies in its ability to transform the simplest dishes with very little. Just a few thin shavings, added at the last moment, are enough to release its intense and unmistakable aroma.

For this reason, it is traditionally paired with delicate preparations that enhance its fragrance without overpowering it: eggs, fresh pasta, butter, cheeses and meats provide the ideal base, allowing the truffle to remain the true protagonist. These are the very flavours that inspired the dinner dedicated to the Alba white truffle, included in the “His majesty the Alba white truffle” package.

It is precisely this simplicity that makes it one of the most fascinating ingredients in Piedmontese cuisine. At Tenuta Montemagno, guests are invited to discover it at its most authentic, surrounded by the flavours of the region, the estate’s wines and the landscape of Monferrato.

Merenda sinoira at Tenuta Montemagno

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A Piedmontese tradition to rediscover among vineyards, local flavours and the timeless charm of the Monferrato hills.

Some traditions tell the story of a place better than words ever could. Merenda sinoira is one of them: a convivial ritual deeply rooted in Piedmont, born in the countryside as a moment of pause at the end of the working day.

In the late afternoon, people would gather around the table with whatever the kitchen had to offer: bread, cured meats, cheeses, frittatas, vegetables, carpione specialities and, of course, wine. Simple yet substantial dishes, shared informally and enjoyed slowly, often until evening.

More generous than a snack and more spontaneous than dinner, merenda sinoira still preserves the pleasure of coming together and, in many ways, anticipates the spirit of the Piedmontese aperitivo.

The journey begins aboard a 1980s Fiat Panda

At Tenuta Montemagno, merenda sinoira takes on a character all its own.

Before reaching the table, the experience begins on the roads of Monferrato Astigiano, aboard a 1980s Fiat Panda tied to the family’s history and now reimagined to accompany guests through the hills surrounding the estate. More than a vintage car, it is a fragment of memory brought back to life among vineyards, rows of vines and views over Montemagno.

Accompanied by an expert guide, the journey unfolds at a leisurely pace, allowing the scents, colours and quiet of the countryside to lead naturally towards the merenda sinoira.

The route eventually reaches the vineyards, where a table is set beneath the shade of a tree, in a secluded corner immersed in nature.

Here, the tradition comes to life through a selection of Piedmontese flavours: local cured meats and cheeses, friciulin, Russian salad, carpione specialities and freshly baked focaccia, accompanied by three glasses of Tenuta Montemagno wines per person, selected to enhance the flavours and create a direct connection with the surrounding vineyards.

A moment to enjoy without rushing, which at sunset can naturally turn into an aperitivo and offer, through food, landscape and conviviality, one of the most authentic ways to experience Monferrato.