The 12th white truffle auction took place at the Grinzane Cavour castle with the white Alba truffles gaining over 307,000 euros in auction sales.
The 13 truffles from Alba under the hammer were all sold with the best example going to a Hong Kong bidder for 105,000 euros.
Another was bought by a local Piedmontese bidder for 100,000 euros.
Other truffles were bought by Chinese wine expert Jeannie Cho Lee, and a Cuneo entrepreneur in the green energy business, Antonio Bertolotto.
The latter will donate his two truffles to Pope Benedict XVI and to Michele Ferrero of Ferrero company fame who has contributed much to Italy’s international image.
The white truffle auction is becoming quite an event and Italy is enjoying some flashy touches, setting up real time connection with some of the world’s most renowned restaurants.
And it’s certainly a curiosity for non afficionados who look on as bidders haggle over the diminutive fungi.
Via satellite connection there was the world famous 8 e ½ Italian restaurant in Hong Kong and some Italian celebrities came out for the occasion, including Enzo Iacchetti from the satirical Striscia la Notizia show.
Guest of honour was Italian senate president Renato Schifani.
The auction proceeds go to philanthropic and educational initiatives.