World’s biggest white truffle to be sold

Sotheby’s is to auction the world’s biggest white truffle in New York this weekend, immediately before its fine wine auction.

Discovered last week in Italy by Sabatino Trufffles, one of the world’s oldest truffle suppliers, the rare fungus weighs 4.16 pounds and is twice the size of the previous record holder.

The last champion truffle was sold back in 2010 and went for US$417,000. The new contending Tuber magnatum will be offered at $50,000 and all proceeds will go to a number of charitable organisations.

Immediately after the sale of the monstrous fruiting body will be the wine sale with lots from $200 to $60,000 and including an ex-cellar collection of Paul Jaboulet Aîné.

Highlights include a 34-bottle vertical of La Chapelle from 1961-2012, magnums of 1990 Chambertin from Armand Rousseau, a rare 18 double magnum vertical of Peter Michael Les Pavots 1994-2011 and also Sotheby’s “largest ever” collection of Sine Qua Non including 1994 Ace of Spades Syrah, 2000 heals over Head Syrah and 2002 Heart Chorea Syrah.