Barolo & Burgundy: the two regions “myth” meet

November 25-27, 2022 – Three days of joint initiatives for a delegation of Burgundy producers and institutional representatives hosted in the Langhe: the program includes sensory analysis of the truffle, a roundtable discussion, masterclasses, show cooking, and a gala dinner with two Michelin-starred chefs

On the occasion of the 92nd° edition of the Alba International White Truffle Fair, the Strada del Barolo e grandi vini di Langa and the Alba International White Truffle Fair Authority are promoting an initiative of international importance, in collaboration with the Barolo & Castle Foundation, the Regional Barolo Wine Shop, The Alba Langhe and Dogliani Barolo Barbaresco Protection Consortium and the Association for the Heritage of the Wine Landscapes of Langhe-Roero and Monferrato: from 25 to 27 November 2022, a delegation of institutions and producers from the French wine region of Burgundy will be guests in the Langhe to take part in a series of high-level activities, with the aim of strengthening knowledge and collaboration between the two famous territories, which have become a symbol and reference throughout the world and both recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

«Last year we started an important collaboration with the Champagne region – explains the Director of the Barolo Road Daniele Manzone – and this year we decided to propose a similar initiative, again together with the Truffle Fair Authority, sending a delegation of producers and institutions from Burgundy, a wine-growing region always considered by me and all Barolo producers as “the myth”, the reference from which to learn, the indispensable place if you intend to know and understand how to do wine promotion intelligently and how to attract tourists in an innovative and experiential way. This operation is fully in the spirit of our association, which is to create knowledge, relationship and friendship with other territories, with which we share the same values of excellence. Barolo producers are particularly interested in establishing relationships and sharing experiences with other producers. We, as an association for the promotion of the area, aim to create relationships between organizations and institutions and therefore hope for the beginning of effective collaboration both in the oenological and high-level wine tourism fields.»

The French delegation will be led by Laurent Delaunay, President of the Bureau Interprofessionnel des Vins de Bourgogne (BIVB), together with Bernard Hervet, a key figure in Burgundy wine culture and style, who has worked for many years for some of the most prestigious Domaines, Claude and Lydia Bourguignon, agronomists specializing in soil and territory, Thibault Jacquet, General Director of the Domaine Bonneau du Martray, Anne Parent, owner of the Domaine Parent and Conseillère Départementale de Côte d’Or, Eric Goettelmann, head sommelier at the group Bernard Loiseau, Jean Battault, Nadine Bazin and François Contet, respectively president and directors of Dijon Congrexpo, the association that manages the Dijon Exhibition and Congress Centre, and the Michelin-starred chef Jean-Bruno Gosse, chef of Loiseau des Ducs in Dijon (Michelin Star).

Upon arrival, guests will be greeted by representatives of the Strada del Barolo and the Truffle Fair Authority at Roddi Castle, where the Truffle Sensory Analysis program is taking place. This immersive experience, led by judges from the National Truffle Studies Center, will explore the organoleptic characteristics of the Tuber magnatum Pico. The group will then travel to the Enoteca Regionale del Barolo for a Barolo tasting, led by renowned Langhe winemaker and producer Massimo Martinelli, and an introduction to the Barolo area’s wine tourism system. In the evening, a friendship dinner will be held at the Cà del Lupo restaurant in Montelupo Albese, featuring representatives of Burgundy and a group of Barolo producers who will present their wines at a tasting table.

A roundtable discussion is scheduled for Saturday, November 26, 2022, entitled “Soil as a treasure trove of excellence: Burgundy and Barolo compared. Impact and prospects of climate change on great red wines and truffles”, in which speakers will take part Antonio Degiacomi – President of the National Centre for Truffle Studies,Edmondo Bonelli – Wine technician, Doctor of Natural Sciences and researcher in the geopaleontological field, Claude and Lydia Bourguignon – Agronomists, soil and territory specialists, Federico Spanna – Coordinator of the Agrometeorological Section, Phytosanitary Sector, Piedmont Region, Lorenzo Olivero – President of Strada del Barolo and owner of the Olivero Mario di Roddi winery, moderated by La Stampa journalist Roberto Fiori. The meeting is open to the public. To participate, you must register by filling out the form: https://forms.gle/FssnWny2f7zjpTKJA.

On Saturday afternoon, the French delegation will visit the World Truffle Market, where they will attend the presentation of the case history “Alba White Truffle” and then visit the city of Alba accompanied by a guide.

At 5pm in the “Temple of the Wine Tourist”, at the WiMu – Wine Museum in Barolo, a Masterclass dedicated to Burgundy wines and Barolo, led by Massimo Martinelli together with Bernard Hervet, will be an opportunity to delve deeper into themes related to the history and culture of the two wine-growing areas: tickets are on sale at fieradeltartufo.org.

At 6:30 pm at the Alba Truffle Fair, a show cooking session with chef Jean-Bruno Gosse is scheduled. Tickets for these activities are on sale to the public of wine lovers and enthusiasts on fieradeltartufo.org.

On Saturday evening, a Burgundy & Barolo Gala Dinner will also be held at the Castello di Roddi, cooked “by hand” by Michelin-starred chefs Jean-Bruno Gosse and Massimo Camia, who will offer a menu featuring Alba White Truffle, designed specifically for the occasion and served alongside various Burgundy and Barolo labels. The dinner is open to a limited number of participants: tickets are on sale at fieradeltartufo.org.

On Sunday 27 November, French guests will be invited to participate as guests of honour in the ceremony of the “305° Chapter of the Order of the Knights of Truffle and Wine of Alba”, which will dedicate the chapter to Burgundy, at the Castle of Grinzane Cavour. In the afternoon, a visit to some wineries in the area is planned.