White Truffles – each a small, knobbly sphere – are so rare that they can fetch up to £9,000 a kilogram. Traditionally foraged by pigs, eventually locals grew weary of the greedy swine gobbling too many – the sows especially, driven by the truffles’ scent that so closely mimics porcine pheromones. Today, the keen noses of uniquely trained canines are called upon to locate and unearth the valuable treasure.
The Waldhotel Fletschhorn hotel – situated above the impossibly pretty, car-free Alpine village of Saas-Fee in Switzerland, very close to the Italian border – is renowned for, and fanatical about, exceptional food. Not to forget wine – with a renowned cellar of over 9,000 bottles of a wide variety of vintages. Thus, the hotel’s owners have organised a five-day Truffle Safari during which to appreciate the all-too-short and much-cherished White Truffle Season (from 21 September), and to complement it with wines extraordinary enough to deliver the white truffle due justice.
From enjoying the peace and feeling of wellbeing at Waldhotel Fletschhorn and, of course, Saas-Fee itself, with its astounding glaciers, the trip takes you to Salgesch, the largest wine-growing community in the Upper Valais. A visit to Diego Mathier, the highest-awarded wine producer in Switzerland, offers an insight into the centuries-old family business, and how the region’s unique microclimate, and soils rich in magnesium and limestone, produce the wine’s distinct quality.
Crossing the Great St Bernard Pass, one of the highest of the Alpine frontier passes (almost 2,500m) is an iconic way to travel between Switzerland and Italy. Landing in the Aosta Valley, Italy’s smallest region, you are immersed in a land of mountains, pristine forests, and picturesque villages. The area is known for its excellent cuisine, heavily influenced by its mixed French and Italian culture. Alba, the truffle capital of Italy, is a magnet for the most serious gastro-tourists. During your time here, the town will be hosting its annual White Truffle Fair, a one-of-a-kind cultural and culinary experience. The heart of the fair is the Alba White Truffle Food Market, where eyes will be wide (watering, even) at the prices. Concerts, cooking shows and colourful folklore events also hold the crowds agog.
Heading back to Switzerland via Lago d’Orta (Lago Maggiore’s secret little sister), the expedition culminates with a grand dinner at the Waldhotel Fletschhorn before heading, replete, to one of the hotel’s 13 beautiful bedrooms, each with a balcony facing the Mischabel mountains.
The five-day Truffle Safari takes place from mid-September to the end of October and costs from CHF 2,999 (approx. £2,617) per person, based on double occupancy. This includes all accommodation (full board), wine pairings, excursions and transfers.
For further information, visit www.fletschhorn.ch, or contact booking@fletschhorn.ch. The nearest airport is Geneva, a three-hour drive from Saas-Fee. Rail transfers are also possible, there are direct trains from Geneva and Zurich to Visp from where there is a local bus service to Saas-Fee. Hotel transfers can be arranged from airports, Visp and Saas-Fee BusTerminal.
