Barolo and the White Truffle Season: Monprivato vs. Cascina Francia, 2008
A Focused Comparison Over Alba White Truffles at Donato Enoteca Barolo is often called the “king of Italian wines,” but not because it’s big and heavy like Cabernet or Syrah. In fact, Barolo is closer in body and texture to Red Burgundy or Etna Rosso—pale in color, high in acidity, intensely aromatic, and built on tannin rather than weight. Made entirely from Nebbiolo in the Langhe hills of Piedmont, Barolo combines red-fruited lift with earthy, leathery depth, giving it a structure that’s firmer than Burgundy but far less dense than the Bordeaux or Rhône varieties often associated with “full-bodied” reds. With age, Barolo and Burgundy actually grow more similar: both develop sous-bois, dried flower, and savory complexity, though Burgundy generally remains gentler while Barolo keeps a bit more grip and spice. Both pair beautifully with truffles, but in Piedmont there’s no debate— Barolo is the traditional and definitive match for Alba white truffles , thanks to its perfume, acidity, a...