Dinner for two - a photo on Flickriver

Dinner for two

Burgundy truffles from Tuscany, a truffle slicer and a good Chianti Classico: all you need to have for a plain and tasty dish (beside Spaghetti), photographed in our holiday home near Poggibonsi, Tuscani

Some background information:

These two burgundy truffles were our ingredients for a plain Italian dish, which we cooked in our holiday home in Tuscany and which can be seen here. Our dinner was accompanied by the pictured bottle of Chianti Classico of course.

The burgundy truffle (Tuber uncinatum) resp. autumn truffel is a mushroom and species of truffle that can be found in almost all European countries. Burgundy truffles have an intense, hazelnut-like aroma and are highly prized for their gastronomic qualities. They smell a bit of garlic and malt. Burgundy truffles are used in the haute cuisine of France and Italy, as well as a substitute for the Périgord black truffle (Tuber melanosporum). Like other truffles, they are also canned and bottled for export.

Burgundy truffles have a more intense aroma than summer truffles and both are distinguished from each other in cuisine and commerce. However, molecular analysis showed in 2004 that these two varieties of truffle are one species. The differences between them are therefore likely due to environmental factors.

With bodies from 2 centimetres (1 inch) to 10 centimetres (4 inch) in diameter, burgundy truffles are relatively large. Their brown or black outer skin forms pyramidal warts about 3 to 9 mm wide, resembling rough bark. The flesh of burgundy truffles is yellowish or even hazel and has a rather compact texture that is evocative of the texture of carrots or kohlrabies. It is crossed by whity small veins that make it look marbled.

Burgundy truffles are harvested from September to late December, sometimes also until late January. They have a wider distribution than any other truffle species. Burgundy truffles are found across Europe, from Spain to eastern Europe and from Sweden to North Africa. In France they are found mainly in the north-east and in Italy, in the north and in the middle. In the United Kingdom they were plentiful prior to the 20th century, but are now rare.

Usually, burgundy truffles grow below ground in oak or beech forests, mainly on base-rich chalk or marly soils. But on rare occasions they can even be found in conifer forests. Their spores are brown and have a length of approximately 35 micrometres. The mushrooms are surrounded by a coarse-meshed net of lamellar structures.

Because all species of truffles can only be found below soil surface, it is almost impossible for human being to find them autonomously. Hence, truffle pickers are dependent on the help of animals with an exceptional scenting ability. These animals are either pigs or a few dog breeds that can be trained to find truffles. In Italy, the most popular dog breed for truffle hunting is the Lagotto Romagnolo. It is a curly coated little dog with an appearance of being robust and hardy. Lagatto Romagnolo dogs have generally sharp senses. But they are also very loyal and loving, which makes them the perfect family companions.

Chianti Classico wines are premium Chianti red wines that tend to be medium-bodied with firm tannins and medium-high to high acidity. Floral, cherry and light nutty notes are characteristic aromas with the wines expressing more notes on the mid-palate and finish than at the front of the mouth. As with Bordeaux, the different zones of Chianti Classico have unique characteristics that can be exemplified and perceived in some wines from those areas. Chianti Classico wines must have a minimum alcohol level of at least 12% with a minimum of 7 months aging in oak, while Chianti Classicos labeled riserva must be aged at least 24 months at the winery, with a minimum alcohol level of at least 12.5%.

Wine is cultivated in Tuscany ever since Etruscan times. However, the earliest documentation of a Chianti wine dates back to the 13th century when viticulture was known to flourish in the "Chianti Mountains" around Florence. The merchants in the nearby townships of Castellina, Gaiole and Radda formed the Lega del Chianti (in English: "League of Chianti") to produce and promote the local wine. By the 18th century, Chianti was widely recognised as a red wine, but the exact composition and grape varieties used to make Chianti at this point is unknown.

It was not until the work of the Italian statesman Bettino Ricasoli (1809 to 1880) that the modern "Chianti recipe" as a Sangiovese-based wine would take shape. Prior to Ricasoli, Canaiolo was emerging as the dominant variety in the Chianti blend with Sangiovese and Malvasia playing supporting roles. In the mid-19th century, Ricasoli developed a recipe for Chianti that was based primarily on Sangiovese. His recipe called for 70% Sangiovese, 15% Canaiolo, 10% Malvasia (later amended to include Trebbiano) and 5% other local red varieties. In 1967, the DOC regulation set by the Italian government firmly established the "Ricasoli formula" of a Sangiovese-based blend with 10 to 30% Malvasia and Trebbiano.

Today, Chianti wines are popular among wine connoisseurs all over the world, unquestionably ranking with Bordeaux wines. At the same time the famous Chianti wines also appear in popular culture. In the 1991 film "The Silence of the Lambs" Hannibal Lecter delivers his most quotable line: "A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti."

Taken in: Italia / Toscana / Bellavista (show map)

Taken on: October 3, 2018

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Sets appears in: • Italy: Tuscany and Cinque Terre 2018 • Autumn

Groups appears in: • Italy • Photographs of Italy more » • Tuscany / Toscana • European Vacation • Food Court • bella italia!! • Food around the world • Toscana • Italy, Best of / L'immagine dell'Italia • Italy . • Strictly GeoTagged (no 30/60 limit) • The concept is Europe • ITALIA - ITALY - ITALIE - ITALIEN « less

Camera: Canon PowerShot SX20 IS, f/2.8, 1/40 sec, 5mm, ISO 80 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Canon PowerShot SX20 IS
Lens:	5.0-100.0 mm
Aperture:	f/2.8
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Focal Length:	5mm
ISO:	80
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	Off, Did not fire
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