XXV Alba White Truffle World Auction®
ON SUNDAY 10 NOVEMBER, AT THE GRINZANE CAVOUR CASTLE, SOLIDARITY AND THE ALBA WHITE TRUFFLE WILL BE THE PROTAGONISTS OF AN EVENT PROMOTED BY THE ENOTECA REGIONALE PIEMONTE CAVOUR.
On Sunday 10 November, on the hills of the Langhe covered in autumn colours, the Castle of Grinzane Cavour – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – will once again open its doors for the prestigious Alba White Truffle World Auction. An event that celebrates not only the land’s most precious diamond, paired with the great wines of the iconic hills of the Langhe, Roero and Monferrato, but also the spirit of solidarity that, like an invisible thread, binds people and places in a global embrace.
In this evocative setting, the auction becomes an opportunity to support charitable causes and simultaneously showcase the beauty of a unique territory, in a competition based on generosity with other venues from around the world. Exceptional guests and enthusiasts will come together to share not only the value of one of Piedmont’s gastronomic treasures, but also the value of a gesture that does good and enriches those who make it. A tradition that links the prestige of the white truffle of Alba to social commitment and that this year, with the 25th edition, will be in full swing.
An authentic parterre de rois is expected to celebrate the “Silver Wedding” between the famous hypogeous mushroom and solidarity, led by TV presenter Caterina Balivo, assisted by gastronomic curator Paolo Vizzari: as every year, philanthropists, great starred chefs and celebrities from show business, sport, politics, culture and the international jet set will contribute to raise funds for charitable projects around the world. Since 1999, the total amount raised has exceeded 6.8 million euros (6,826,660 to be precise) for charitable initiatives in Italy and around the world.
Also this year, the most prized lots of Tuber magnatum Pico will go up for auction – in combination with the large formats of Barolo DOCG, Barbaresco DOCG and of the wines of the producers belonging to the Consorzio di Tutela Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe e Dogliani – during the event organized by Enoteca Regionale Piemontese Cavour, thanks to the invaluable support of Regione Piemonte, Enit – Agenzia Nazionale Italiana del Turismo, Ente Turismo Langhe Monferrato Roero, Fiera Internazionale del Tartufo Bianco d’Alba, Centro Nazionale Studi Tartufo and of Ordine dei Cavalieri del Tartufo e dei Vini di Alba.
The auction lots will also be further enriched by some giant Panettoni “made in Piedmont”, weighing 10 kg and 20 kg, signed by Albertengo, a historic company based in Torre San Giorgio, in the province of Cuneo, which produces one and a half million festive pastries every year. Livia and Massimo Albertengo will give the guests joining live from the international venues in connection with Grinzane Cavour a nice present: a trio of mini panettone cakes made with apricots, Moscato wines and traditional glazed panettone.
The Alba White Truffle World Auction, in collaboration with the Alba Music Festival, celebrates the centenary of Giacomo Puccini’s birth. This is an opportunity to commemorate, in a context of international prestige, one of the greatest Italian composers in history, who influenced the music of the 20th century like no other. His famous arias such as Nessun dorma, E lucean le stelle, Recondita armonia, presented here by the powerful voice of Michele Mauro, artist of the choir of the “Teatro alla Scala” in Milan, intertwine with the excellence of the territory, celebrating the extraordinary values of Italy.
THE HOSTS
The event’s long-standing hostess, Caterina Balivo, known for her fresh and engaging style in the second season of the daily programme La volta buona on Rai 1, will strike the gavel and open the auction. She will be joined by journalist and gastronomic curator Paolo Vizzari, who will set the pace for the many prestigious guests invited to the 2024 edition, in which cinema will once again play a leading role.
An exceptional new addition to this edition is Lillo Petrolo, actor, humorist, writer, director and musician, who will enliven the auction with his charisma, talent and irony.
Also making his debut at the auction is Luca Bizzarri, Italian actor, comedian and television presenter, known for his role in the duo “Luca e Paolo” with Paolo Kessisoglu, who is able to provide satirical moments that combine current affairs and humour with an ironic and biting style.
Anna Foglietta, television and film actress, former godmother of the 77th Venice International Film Festival, will be present, accompanied by Asti actor and director Andrea Bosca. Both are testimonials of the association Every Child Is My Child Onlus, a non-profit organisation that has been working for years to guarantee a future for children affected by war.
Staying in the world of the “seventh art”, this year’s auction will feature Stefania Rocca, an actress appreciated for the depth of her interpretations and who, with her charm and dedication to acting, has managed to carve out a prominent place for herself on the Italian and foreign film and television scene.
From the world of fiction, the soap opera par excellence, comes the American actor Daniel McVicar, best known for his role as Clarke Garrison in Beautiful.
The master baker Fulvio Marino from Alba, known to the general public thanks to his participation in the TV show called È Sempre Mezzogiorno, hosted by Antonella Clerici on Rai 1, where he has a column dedicated to bread-making and recipes for bread, pizza and focaccia.
Directly from the small screen, Vittorio Brumotti, Italian TV presenter and cyclist, champion of the bike-trials and famous correspondent of the satirical TV show programme “Striscia la Notizia”, will also be joining the event.
There will also be many other guests from the world of sport, including Claudio Sala, the “goal poet” and idol of the Granata faithful, and Clara Mondonico, daughter of the unforgettable “Mondo”, coach of Torino, Atalanta and Fiorentina.
WORLDWIDE LIVE STREAMING AND INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY
The Alba White Truffle World Auction strengthens its international vocation, with an extremely rich parterre of live streaming connections: four prestigious venues have been confirmed – Hong Kong, Singapore, Vienna and Frankfurt – to be joined by a new addition of the utmost relevance: Bangkok.
The metropolis of Seoul will be the protagonist of an international streaming event organised by the Ente Turismo Langhe Monferrato Roero on the occasion of the auction, in collaboration with the Italian Embassy, Enit and ICE, to promote Piedmont and the uniqueness of the UNESCO Hills. The streaming, part of the initiative for the candidacy of Italian cuisine for UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, will take place from High Street Italia, a four-storey multifunctional structure to be inaugurated in December 2019 in Garosu-gil, Seoul, with the aim of promoting Made in Italy and Italian culture in Korea for the first time, for the benefit of all, industry professionals and the general public.
Also eagerly awaited is the streaming with Kenya, with a live broadcast from North Kinangop, where Bruno Frea, urologist from Corneliano, retired director of urology at Molinette Hospital, will talk about his mission in the hospital founded by Don Sandro Borsa and his challenge to raise funds to build new operating theatres. The World Auction is actively involved in the realisation of an operating theatre.
From the point of view of solidarity, the money raised by the Auction at Grinzane Cavour Castle will be donated to support initiatives of absolute charitable value.
The collaboration with the association “Every Child is my Child Onlus”, which has social solidarity objectives and promotes activities, initiatives and events aimed at financing projects to support childhood for all children living in situations of extreme hardship affected by wars, disasters, poverty, marginalisation and illness, will certainly continue.
Particular attention is paid to the Associazione Emiliano Mondonico, the North Kinangop Hospital, local associations and direct support to some families in serious difficulties.
HONG KONG
A perfect combination of solidarity, haute cuisine and culture: the eagerly awaited charity auction that has united Italy and Hong Kong for over twenty years is back. Held at the prestigious Mandarin Restaurant and under the patronage of the Italian Consul General in Hong Kong, Carmelo Ficarra, this year’s event promises to be more special than ever.
In the live broadcast with Asia, Piedmontese entrepreneur Matteo Morello, founder of Ristorante Castellana, will combine his culinary creations with those of an exceptional brigade: Romeo Morelli of Ristorante Castellana, Angelo Aglianò of Tosca by Angelo Ritz Carlton and the talented chefs Robin Zavou and Matthew Reuther of The Mandarin Oriental. A unique gastronomic experience capable of transporting the palate between the authentic flavours of Italy and the sophistication of the Orient.
But the Auction is not just a moment of pleasure for the palate: it is also an opportunity to do some good. In keeping with tradition, all proceeds will be donated to Mother’s Choice Institute, a charity that has been working passionately for years to help the world’s most vulnerable children.
Thanks to the invaluable support of the Vision Group, an event company renowned for its unique services and attention to detail, this edition of the auction promises to be full of elegance and refinement, where solidarity and pleasure will merge into a unique experience.
SINGAPORE
Art by Daniele Sperindio – the restaurant owned by the Michelin-starred chef himself – will once again take centre stage at Singapore’s prestigious National Gallery, in the presence of the Ambassador of the Italian Republic to Singapore, Dante Brandi. Proceeds from the event in the city-state to the south of Malaysia – a booming market, together with South Korea, characterised by a growing passion for the Italian wine sector – will this year be donated to the SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), Singapore’s only community veterinary clinic, with an adoption programme, awareness and education activities, reunification of lost animals with their owners, sterilisation of community animals and a shelter that takes in more than 200 unwanted, abused or abandoned animals every month.
VIENNA
For the third year running, Vienna will be among the protagonists of the charity event organised by the Austrian delegation of the Ordine dei Cavalieri del Tartufo e dei Vini di Alba (Order of the Knights of the Truffle and Wines of Alba), in collaboration with Enit Vienna. This year the event will be held in the prestigious Italian Embassy in Vienna, located in the historic Metternich Palace, thanks to the precious support of Ambassador Giovanni Pugliese. Thanks to organisational synergies, during the 19th Chapter of the Order, the Alba White Truffle will be the protagonist of a charity event, whose proceeds will be donated to Acker Österreich, an Austrian non-profit organisation that has been working for years to improve the understanding and appreciation of natural food, sustainability and agriculture. Founded in 2014, it runs several educational programmes for children and young people in schools and kindergartens. Lunch will be provided by MyChef, a company owned by Dr Matteo Landi and chef Tommaso Carrettoni.
FRANKFURT
After the debut of the last edition, the streaming is back with Frankfurt, a dynamic, cosmopolitan city that is very sensitive to the appeal of the Alba White Truffle, the undisputed star of the World Auction. The chosen venue, the Brighella restaurant, is a blend of Italian tradition, hospitality and imagination that has been celebrating the Alba White Truffle for over 30 years with a week dedicated to solidarity and the promotion of Piedmont. It will be chef Leo Caporale‘s turn to make the guests dream with unexpected combinations and surprises at the table. Food and excellence will be just the means to make solidarity fly, which will involve Paralympic sports and, in particular, the German swimming team. The focus will be on the German Youth Cup, a competition between young athletes from the regional associations of the German Paralympic Sports Association.
BANGKOK
This edition also sees the prestigious debut of Bangkok, with a Thousand and One Nights event at the Riva del Fiume restaurant inside the Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok on the Chao Phraya River, ranked 14th in the 50 Best list of the world’s best hotels. This extraordinary event will feature a six-handed dinner curated by Executive Chef Andrea Accordi with celebrated Italian chefs Christian Martena of CLARA and Davide Garavaglia of Côte by Mauro Colagreco. Together they will create a sumptuous menu highlighting the exquisite flavours of the precious Alba White Truffle. In the presence of the Italian Ambassador to Bangkok, Paolo Dionisi, the proceeds of the auction will go to the Border Patrol Police School Foundation under the Royal Patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.
LIVE STREAMING
The 25th edition of the Alba White Truffle World Auction® can be followed through live streaming on the Grinzane Cavour Castle Facebook page (www.facebook.com/CastelloGrinzaneCavour) and on the social media pages of the main local and national newspapers.
SATEMENTS
ROBERTO BODRITO
“We are delighted that the Alba White Truffle World Auction is continuing to expand its boundaries, with the primary objective of promoting this territory internationally through solidarity,” says Roberto Bodrito, President of the Enoteca Regionale Piemontese Cavour, together with the Mayors of the City of Alba, Alberto Gatto, and the Municipality of Grinzane Cavour, Gianfranco Garau. If, on the one hand, we want to strengthen proximity tourism, with Frankfurt and Vienna, we continue to work on territorial promotion, flanking the historic venues of Hong Kong and Singapore with an important link to the metropolis of Bangkok, making its debut, and Seoul, for a much welcomed return”.
ALBERTO CIRIO, MARCO GALLO, MARINA CHIARELLI
“The truffle has always been fascinating for its uniqueness, surrounded by the aura of mystery that characterises it, with men, in synergy with their dogs, bringing it to the tables of the most demanding gourmets. Today, more than ever, we are recognised worldwide as one of the leading regions where traditional cuisine and wines are among the most appreciated and where, thanks to the work of all those involved in the supply chain, our territory is growing to unique levels,” adds Sergio Germano, President of the Consorzio di Tutela Barolo, Barbaresco, Alba, Langhe e Dogliani. “The fact that the Alba White Truffle is now so sought after that it is being sold at a world auction shows how tenaciously and professionally our territory has worked to enhance its value. The 10th of November will be the big day, preceded by the Auction en Primeur of Barolo and Barbaresco, which took place on the 25th of October, and which shows how much our land and its people want to share in the success with high-profile solidarity projects that contribute to increasing its prestige and diffusion”.
SERGIO GERMANO
“Da sempre il Tartufo affascina per la sua unicità, circondato dall’alone di mistero che lo caratterizza, con l’uomo, in sinergia col suo cane, che lo porta sulle tavole dei gourmet più esigenti. Unitamente Barolo e Barbaresco hanno identificato la nostra regione come un ambiente di elevata vocazione ai prodotti di eccellenza e oggi più che mai il mondo ci riconosce tra i primatisti, dove la cucina tradizionale e i vini sono considerati tra i più pregiati, facendo crescere il nostro territorio a livelli unici, grazie al lavoro di tutti gli attori della filiera – aggiunge Sergio Germano, presidente del Consorzio di Tutela Barolo, Barbaresco, Alba, Langhe e Dogliani –. Che il Tartufo Bianco d’Alba sia oggi ambito al punto di essere battuto a un’Asta Mondiale dimostra quanto il nostro territorio abbia lavorato con caparbietà e professionalità per valorizzarsi. Il 10 novembre sarà il grande giorno, preceduto dall’Asta en Primeur di Barolo e Barbaresco, che si è tenuta il 25 ottobre, a dimostrazione di quanto la nostra terra e i suoi uomini vogliano condividere il successo con progetti solidali di elevato spessore, contribuendo ad accrescerne il prestigio e la diffusione”.
MARIANO RABINO
“Nell’immaginario mondiale, il territorio di Langhe Monferrato Roero è stato capace di emergere per l’internazionalità del proprio genius loci – aggiunge Mariano Rabino, presidente dell’Ente Turismo Langhe Monferrato Roero –. L’Asta del Tartufo, che giunge alla 25ª edizione sempre più internazionale e sempre più collegata tra tante e significative piazze nel mondo, rappresenta perfettamente questo modello di destinazione. Con un’attenzione particolare al tema della solidarietà, per un evento che, oltre ad avere una grandissima potenza mediatica, è prima di tutto benefico”.
ANTONIO DEGIACOMI
“The truffle is certainly about reciprocity and gift: between tree and mushroom in a symbiotic exchange; between dog and truffle hunter in the mutual reward of friendly and passionate work. And in the conviviality of family and friends; in the grateful homage; in the extraordinary worldwide charity auction. And, as the Centro Studi Tartufo, we are always aware of the need to care for and protect the habitats in order to continue to have this precious mushroom,” sums up Antonio Degiacomi, President of the Centro Nazionale Studi Tartufo.
LILIANA ALLENA
“With ‘Natural Intelligence’, the payoff theme of the 94th edition of the International Alba White Truffle Fair, we are giving voice to an idea that combines the beauty of nature and the possibilities offered by artificial intelligence,” states Liliana Allena, President of the Fiera Internazionale del Tartufo Bianco d’Alba. “With this edition, we want to encourage in-depth reflection on how technology and nature can coexist in harmony, continuing the message of sustainability and innovation that characterises the Fair. The Auction, with its vocation to solidarity, invites us to join forces to build a fairer and more sustainable future, where every gesture and every choice can contribute to collective well-being”.