It's autumn in Piedmont and in the town of Roddi, not far from Italy's famous UNESCO winemaking region of Barolo, truffle season is underway. Beyond the grapevines, "trifolao" Gianni Monchiero, and his dogs, Lady and Vicky set o to search for these elusive little tubers.

The most prized for its distinct earthy and musky scent is the pale yellow Alba, or Acqualagna white true, known locally as 'grey diamonds'. Spotting signs of a truffle takes great skill and teamwork. The tubers can be buried at a depth of up to one metre under the marly-chalk soil and near the roots of certain trees, particularly oak.