International Alba White Truffle Fair
Photo Credit: Lavezzo studios
Autumn in Italy has a smell of its own: woodsmoke, roasted chestnuts, and the earthy scent of truffles. But for wine lovers, this is also one of the best times of year to visit. The harvest is in, cellars are busy, and wine regions across the country are celebrating with tastings, dinners, and festivals.
If you’ve never planned a trip around a food and wine festival before, Italy is an easy place to start. You can enjoy the local specialties, then use the festival as a starting point for exploring the vineyards and wines of the surrounding region.
So, where should you actually go?
Alba, Piedmont
The obvious place to start is Alba.The Fiera Internazionale del Tartufo Bianco d’Alba runs from October 10 to December 6 in 2026, with events taking place every Saturday and Sunday in the centre of town. Yes, the white truffle is the star of the show, with markets, cooking demonstrations, tastings and dinners. But Alba is equally exciting for wine lovers because you’re right in the heart of the Langhe. This is Barolo and Barbaresco country, where Nebbiolo is king. You’ll also find Barbera, Dolcetto and plenty of smaller producers worth seeking out. The surrounding villages, including Barolo, La Morra, Monforte d’Alba and Barbaresco, make it easy to spend a few days visiting wineries and tasting wines in the places where they’re made. And, of course, there’s the classic combination of freshly shaved white truffle over tajarin with a glass of Piedmontese wine. In Alba, food and wine are difficult to separate.
Photo Credit: Lavezzo studios
Merano, South Tyrol
Merano offers a completely different wine experience.The Merano Wine Festival takes place from November 6 to 10 in 2026 at the Kurhaus, bringing together around 900 producers from Italy and abroad. It’s an elegant, polished event, with tastings, the Wine Hunter Awards, and a strong focus on organic, biodynamic and natural wines. There’s also a Champagne-focused closing day. But the real reason to come is to discover South Tyrol’s distinctive Alpine wines. Look for aromatic whites such as Gewürztraminer and Pinot Bianco, alongside reds including Lagrein and Pinot Nero. It’s a very different wine culture from Piedmont or Tuscany, and that’s what makes it interesting. The vineyards around Merano and Bolzano also offer spectacular mountain scenery, making this as much about the landscape as what’s in your glass.
Photo Credit: Merano Wine Festival
San Miniato, Tuscany
San Miniato hosts itsNational White Truffle Exhibition over the final three weekends of November. It’s smaller and more local than Alba, making it a good option if you’re already planning a trip through Tuscany. The truffles are the reason to visit, but the wine is an excellent excuse to stay longer. From San Miniato, you can explore the wider Tuscan wine scene, from Chianti Classico and its Sangiovese to Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and the region’s famous Super Tuscans. It’s an easy combination: truffle-focused lunch in San Miniato, followed by a winery visit in the Tuscan countryside. And with the summer crowds gone, November can be a particularly atmospheric time to explore the region.
Photo Credit: www.truffleintuscany.com
Turin, Piedmont
Before the main truffle season gets going, Turin hostsTerra Madre Salone del Gustofrom September 24 to 27, 2026. Organised by Slow Food, the event takes a broader look at food, wine, sustainability and the people behind what we eat and drink. It’s less about one particular product and more about discovering producers and regional traditions from Italy and around the world. For wine lovers, Turin also makes a useful base for exploring Piedmont, with the Langhe and its famous wine villages within easy reach.
Photo Credit: Terra Madre Salone del Gusto
Which Festival Should You Choose?
If wine is your priority, Alba is the classic choice for Barolo and Barbaresco, while Merano is ideal for discovering the distinctive wines of South Tyrol. San Miniato works particularly well for a Tuscan wine-and-food weekend, and Turin offers a broader introduction to Italy’s food and wine culture. Whichever you choose, don’t make the mistake of spending the entire trip at the festival itself. The vineyards, smaller producers and family-run cellars in the surrounding countryside are often where the most memorable experiences happen.
Think of the festival as your starting point. Then follow the wine.
Worth listening to
If this has left you wanting to explore Italian wine a little further, have a listen to Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon on the Italian Wine Podcast. Marc travels through Italy speaking to winemakers and exploring the food, wine and stories behind different regions, making it a great companion to planning an autumn wine trip.
