ALBA INTERNATIONAL WHITE TRUFFLE FAIR
ITALY
Held over five weekends in October and November,this festival in the Italian capital of white truffles comprises two events:Palatartufo:the Alba White Truffle World Market and AlbaQualita:an exhibition of gourmet food and wine from the local Piedmont region,one of the world's gourmet hot spots. Visitors can taste and buy authentic Alba white truffles and enjoy a range of activities including mediaeval re-enactments,gourmet street markets,wine and gastronomy events in this lovely old city. The festivities date back 84 years. With both Barolo and Barbaresco wines emanating from the region,wine enjoyment is assured. Seefieradeltartufo.org.
TASTE OF CHICAGO
UNITED STATES
This annual festival bills itself as the biggest outdoor food event in the world,attracting more than two million visitors annually. To be held in Grant Park from July 9-13,2014,the event offers the chance to sample such waist-threatening delights as Chicago-style deep dish pizza,barbecued ribs,Polish sausages and Eli's Cheesecake wares,along with a wide range of ethnic and regional foods. Beer and wine choices,however,are limited. This will be the 34th time the event has been held and live musical acts are a highlight,with Carlos Santana,Robert Plant and Kenny Rogers among those to have performed previously. Seecityofchicago.org.
FRANSCHHOEK UNCORKED
SOUTH AFRICA
Franschhoek is arguably South Africa's most scenic wine region and is worth visiting at any time,but the annual Uncorked Festival,held over two days each September,heralds the start of spring and the release of new vintage white wines. Many of the leading wineries combine to offer live entertainment and several of them are home to restaurants serving local specialties. Others offer barrel tastings of unfinished wines or the chance to sample local gourmet foodstuffs,including spit-roasted meats,and local fruits and vegetables. Wineries involved include standouts in Boekenhoutskloof,Grande Provence Heritage Wine Estate,Vrede en Lust and Solms-Delta,with authentic Cape cuisine and performances by the winery's own choir. Seefranschhoekuncorked.co.za.