Ovada Vino & Tartufi 2014 – 8-9 November in Ovada (AL) — travel diary by Francesca Bertha

The story

Sunday 9 November and with a tasty preview on Saturday 8 November in the historic centre of Ovada Wine and truffle market

The great all-taste event, organised by the Pro Loco of Ovada and of the Monferrato Ovadese with the patronage of the Municipal Administration of Ovada and the collaboration of the Consortium for the Protection of the Dolcetto d'Ovada wine and the trade associations, dedicated to the two most renowned food and wine products of the territory, the white truffle and wine, reaches its fifth edition.

If the wines produced on the gentle hills of the Monferrato Ovadese are among the most famous in Italy, the white truffle of this territory is certainly their equal: Gioacchino Rossini defined it “the Mozart of mushrooms”, a judgement confirmed also by the research carried out by Raoul Molinari and Giordano Berti on chronicles dating back to the Middle Ages, but also on letters of eighteenth-century travellers: all agree on the extraordinary aroma and quality of the white truffles of these lands, a true delicacy highly appreciated already in the past.

The event dedicated to wines and truffles will be a bit like the meeting between Bacchus and Jupiter: if Bacchus is the god of wine, according to the Roman poet Juvenal the origin of the truffle is instead due to a lightning bolt hurled by Jupiter near an oak tree. Also thanks to Jupiter's mythology, the truffle has always been attributed aphrodisiac qualities as well.

The event

PREVIEW SATURDAY 8 NOVEMBER from 8.00 pm

The Ristorante Pro Loco Ovada awaits everyone for the WHITE TRUFFLE DINNER OF THE MONFERRATO at the ancient premises “Ristorante Italia” in via San Paolo, 54

SUNDAY 10 NOVEMBER, from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm Along the streets of the characteristic historic centre, in the little squares and under the porches of the town, the wine exhibitors will await the public, who will have the chance, after buying the event glass at the points located in various squares of the centre, to taste the best wine production of the area at the stalls and discover the secrets and characteristics of the Dolcetto d.o.c. or Ovada d.o.c.g. wines thanks to the explanations of those who produce them with such effort and passion.

Here are the WINE PRODUCERS taking part in this edition: CASCINA SAN MARTINO - Ovada AZ. AGR. PESCE FEDERICO - Silvano d'Orba AZ. AGR. CASCINA DEL VENTO - Montaldo Bormida CASCINA GENTILE - Capriata d'Orba BENZO OSCAR - Cremolino CAVELLI DAVIDE - Prasco CASCINA BORGATTA - Tagliolo Monferrato CASCINA BOCCACCIO - Tagliolo Monferrato PAOLA BADINO - Rocca Grimalda AZ. AGR. CARLO ALBERTO SCARSI - Carpeneto CANTINE GANDINO - Silvano d'Orba AZ. AGR. CA' BENSI - Tagliolo Monferrato AZ. AGR. ROSSI CONTINI - Ovada CAVELLI LORENZO - Morsasco FERRARI GIORGIO - Tagliolo Monferrato CASTELLO DI TAGLIOLO - Tagliolo Monferrato LE TRE COLLINE - Cassinelle LA VALLETTA - Cremolino FACCHINO AZIENDA VITIVINICOLA - Rocca Grimalda CASTELLO DI GRILLANO - Ovada AZ. AGR. LA PIRIA - Rocca Grimalda AZ. AGR. GAGGINO - Ovada Consorzio di Tutela Ovada DOCG

The Trifolau, as last year, will welcome visitors to the Truffle Market at the Loggia di San Sebastiano where the prized white truffles of the Monferrato can be purchased. In piazza San Domenico a rich little market of typical local products (cheeses, preserves, jams, sweets) will whet visitors' appetites.

The following producers will be present: CASCINA DELL'ISIDORA - Goat cheeses IL MAGGIOCIONDOLO - Jams and Syrups AGRISOLIDALE - Fruit, vegetables and eggs LAVAGE' - Cow's milk cheeses GASTALDO ELOISA - Confectionery specialities PROFUMO DI CIOCCOLATO - Artisan specialities made with chocolate

At the mobile sales point of l'Antica Farinata in piazza Garibaldi you will be able to taste the excellent farinata cooked on the spot. The shops will remain open all day and for the occasion the traders have created fabulous themed window displays. During the day, young and old will be able to discover the beauties of the historic centre aboard a very colourful panoramic little train that will tour the characteristic streets and squares.

After a nice walk in the centre, all that remains is to sit at the tables of the Ristorante della Pro Loco, at the ancient premises of the former Albergo Italia (in via San Paolo, 54) and enjoy a succulent dinner based on typical dishes with white truffle of the Monferrato. You will be able to taste agnolotti, tagliatelle, braised beef and eggs fried in a pan, seasoned with the precious tuber and washed down with the Dolcetto di Ovada and finally, hot chocolate with canestrelli.

Here are the truffle-based menus of the restaurants, available not only for the day of OVADA VINO E TARTUFI 2014 but for the entire duration of the Truffle season:

The historic RISTORANTE LA VOLPINA of Ovada

(Strada Volpina, 1 - Tel 0143 86008) proposes for the day of Sunday 9 November 2014 and for every day of the week (lunch - dinner) until the end of the truffle season a very tasty menu: Raw meat in salad with Parmigiano Reggiano and truffles Baked truffle cream Homemade taglierini dressed with egg yolk, butter, Parmigiano Reggiano and truffles Cannelloni stuffed with fondue, baked au gratin with truffles Roast veal with Gavi cream and truffles garnished with polenta. The à la carte menu will also be available, as will the MENU OVADA devised in collaboration with the Ovada DOCG Consortium, aimed at promoting the traditional local dishes paired with the Ovada DOCG of the companies belonging to the consortium.

The RISTORANTE DA GIULIO of Ovada

(Via Gramsci, 115 - Tel 0143 86329) proposes a menu for OVADA VINO E TARTUFI that can be enjoyed for the whole truffle season. The menu is offered both with black truffle, always available during the truffle season, at € 25.00, and with the prized white truffle if booked in advance (at least one day before). Truffle risotto or Truffle garganelli or Truffle tagliatelle Truffle escalopes or Truffle eggs Dessert and coffee 1/4 of wine and 1/2 litre of water

How was Ovada Vino e Tartufi born? For some years now the Pro Loco of Ovada and of the Monferrato Ovadese had the firm intention of organising a gastronomic event centred on the white truffle, since the hills of Ovada are rich in it and the area has, since time immemorial, seen generations of truffle hunters take turns. The recognition of D.O.C.G. status for the “Ovada” wine gave momentum to the initiative, which was also welcomed with enthusiasm by the Municipality of Ovada and the various trade associations. The marriage between the two flagship products of the area seemed natural: the succulent dishes based on white truffle go well with the prized wines of the area, including the Dolcetto DOC and above all the Ovada D.O.C.G.

The past editions have been a success with the public and the critics and have convinced the Pro Loco of Ovada of the wisdom of the initiative, aimed at promoting and spreading the most worthy gastronomic specialities of the area. The beauty of the historic centre enriches the event, which is destined to grow over time.

For further information: