Brescia’s Truffle Market, Sports Gala, and Research on New Varieties
Regional Councillor Franco Nicoli Cristiani was tasked with cutting the ribbon at the opening of the 9th Provincial Truffle Market Fair of Brescia, while Alessandro Sala, the Province of Brescia’s sports assessor, presided over the II° Grand Gala of Athletes, which featured top athletes from the Valtenesi villages, as well as from Salò and Desenzano.
Two events, although different in nature, yet united under the same festival, which the municipality of Puegnago has been promoting for several years — the enhancement of the truffle from our areas and localities.
Exhibition and Local Activities
The venue for the exhibition was the former Tebaldini Palace, now owned by the municipal administration. Mayor Gianfranco Cominciali did not miss the opportunity to request from Councillor Nicoli a grant for restoring this magnificent building overlooking the main square, dedicated to Beato don Giuseppe Baldo.
In the old cellars, various stands were set up, with ample space dedicated to the truffle and its illustrations, offering a variety of local products from extra virgin olive oil to honeys, grappas managed by the ANAG representatives led by President Paini, and local cheeses.
Sports Festival and Awards
The evening before featured, as mentioned, the sports festival which saw participation not only of mayors and assessors from the involved municipalities and leaders of the main provincial federations, but also numerous champions at regional, national, and world levels.
Luca Valerio, for instance, a well-known figure not requiring introduction; alongside him, Massimo Manovali, a rower with numerous top finishes, Olympic swimmer Sara Goffi with colleague Silvia Alessandria, regional swimming champion Fabio Rizzardini, and swimmer champion Chiara Orioli.
The very large audience cheered repeatedly for the tiny cycling prodigy Jakub Mareczko, winner of 19 races out of 24 competed, with 3 second places, 2 third places, and first place in provincial and regional championships.
It is impossible to mention all the other distinguished attendees. Among the renowned champions present were legendary Giorgio Lamberti, cycling champion Maria Cressari, world record holder for 5/10/20 km and 1 hour on track in Mexico City, Franco Cappelletti, an 8th-degree black belt, and cyclist Renato Bongioni.
Conference and Research Results
Finally, on Sunday afternoon, the highly anticipated conference took place, promoted by the Associazione Tartufai Bresciani on “Brescia Truffle: Reality and Future Prospects.” During the event, expert Virgilio Vezzola announced the first results of production in Roè Vociano: the emergence of “a high-quality truffle: Tuber macrosporum or smooth black truffle.”
For the first time, Vezzola explained, truffles of this species were harvested beneath mycorrhizal carpinus and hazel trees planted in 1977. This species is highly valued, with a fragrance similar to that of the white truffle.
Perhaps a little-known species among the nine permitted for harvesting and trade, its limited interest is mainly due to the scarce availability.
“Now we are only waiting for white truffle production,” Vezzola concluded, “and that wait won’t be very long anymore!”
