The international truffle market in Alba is taking place every weekend until early December, offering culinary exhibitions, cooking shows, wine tastings and a varied cultural programme.
The market transforms the town centre into a hub for truffle lovers and gourmets. It is a highlight of Italian gastronomy and an event that unfolds over seven weeks.
Alba lies between Turin and the hills of the Langhe. Famous for its first-class wines, especially Barolo and Barbaresco, the region is also known at this time of year for its misty autumn mornings – which enhance the charm of the landscape and encourage the growth of the precious white truffle. Gourmets and connoisseurs from all over the world are magically attracted – they savour the precious treasure of the earth, because now the soil releases the white truffles and their very own fragrance!
The International White Truffle Fair of Alba, the ‘Fiera Internazionale del Tartufo Bianco d’Alba’, celebrates its 95th edition and transforms the Piedmontese town into the capital of flavour from 11th October to 8th December 2025. The gastronomy in Alba is a top-class culinary experience and is characterised by traditional Piedmontese dishes, which are refined with the famous truffles during this time of year.
Under the motto ‘Profondo Rispetto – Deep Respect’, a seven-week gourmet spectacle that celebrates the legendary white truffle gets underway, and goes far beyond the art of cookery. A wonderful symbiosis of tradition and cultural depth. Respect for the earth that produces this precious commodity, for the arduous work of the truffle hunter, the trifolao (a specialist in truffle hunting who cultivates this age-old tradition – the profession is passed down through generations) and their faithful dogs, the Tabui (often Bastardinos or Lagotto Romagnolo: they are trained and used specifically for truffle hunting, which emphasises the value of the dogs for the region). Wine and dogs: the connection between the Lagotto Romagnolo and truffle hunting is even used as a label on wine bottles, such as the ‘Barbera d’Alba DOC Bricco Lagotto’.
This respect is reflected in the appreciation of centuries-old traditions that are proudly practised here, as well as in the commitment to conscious and sustainable tourism that protects the region’s fragile ecosystems.
The white truffle, this rare and uncultivable fruit of the Piedmontese hills, thus becomes a strong symbol of an ethical approach that honours the roots in order to shape the future responsibly. Axel Iberti, President of the fair organisation, puts it in a nutshell: ‘Not an event, but a real cultural event’. The truffle thus becomes an ambassador of values, beauty and respect.
And what can I say? The atmosphere comes alive in the pictures, the scent and flavour of white truffles are indescribable, Alba is worth a visit! Try it for yourself, let’s go!
When the Hammer Falls for a Good Cause
Every November, the World Auction of White Truffles from Alba, the Asta Mondiale del Tartufo Bianco d’Alba, is considered the glamorous highlight of the truffle season, both socially and charitably. On 9th November 2025, an exclusive audience will gather within the venerable walls of the Castello di Grinzane Cavour, once the residence of Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour, and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to witness an extraordinary spectacle. It’s not just truffles that go under the hammer here, but the largest, rarest and most perfectly formed specimens of the season. True natural jewels, often weighing several hundred grams.
The real star of the event is the charity. The often impressive amounts bid by philanthropists, celebrity chefs and gourmets from all over the world are donated 100% to charity. The auction room is linked via live satellite to major cities such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai, Frankfurt and New York, where bids are also placed in exclusive partner cities. This global bidding competition drives up prices and at the same time strengthens the international status of the event. In this way, the world’s most valuable mushroom becomes an ambassador of solidarity, transforming an act of luxury into a powerful gesture of global generosity. Monaco, known for its love of good food, could also be a potential bidder due to its proximity to Piedmont.
In a Nutshell
Due to their unique aroma and flavour, truffles from Alba have been fetching top prices for years. To find the rare ‘diamonds of the kitchen’, which grow up to 30 centimetres underground in the roots of oak, chestnut or poplar trees, truffle dogs are usually used to track down the tubers with their excellent sniffer noses.
The white truffle is considered the most expensive delicacy in the world. Gourmets eat them by the gram, grated wafer-thin, preferably over pasta in Italy. Experts call the delicious mushroom, tuber magnatum pico.
The Truffle Market in Alba
The market: At the market in the centre of Alba, you will find a large selection of truffles. In addition to truffles, there are products such as cheese, cold cuts, pasta and nuts from the region. The food and wine programme of the fair includes the participation of over 40 chefs from the national and international panorama, most of whom have been awarded Michelin stars and are the protagonists of cooking shows, themed dinners and experiential workshops. Their presence helps to raise the profile of the event and promote a culture of flavour based on excellence, creativity and respect for nature
Tastings and events: There are also wine tastings. We give special treatment to the dream team of wine and truffles, so look forward to it!
Culture: The event offers historical parades and folklore. The traditional donkey race ‘Palio degli Asini’ is a highlight of the annual truffle festival and a humorous counterpart to the famous Palio di Siena horse race.
Alba Truffle Kids: A place of fun created entirely for children, thoughtfully designed to combine play with learning. You won’t find inflatable or plastic toys, nor video games—only meaningful, imaginative experiences that inspire and educate.
The truffle market in Alba takes place every weekend from 11th October to 8th December, 2025.. The auction on 9th November is a private, invitation-only event. Tickets are avaialble online for the various events.
CONTACT DETAILS
95ª Fiera Internazionale del Tartufo Bianco d’Alba
Ente Fiera Nazionale del Tartufo Bianco d’Alba
Piazza Medford, 3 – 12051
Alba CN
Italia
Tel. +39 0173 361051
Email: info@fieradeltartufo.org
All photos courtesy Fiera Internazionale del Tartufo Bianco d’Alba and as credited; lead image ALBA, ITALY – OCTOBER 17: People attend International Alba White Truffle Fair on October 17, 2021 in Alba, Italy – photo by Giorgio Perottino/Getty Images
Please share on your social channels
Leave a Reply