Castello di Solfagnano is nestled in the Umbria region,which means"the green heart"in Italian.The castle grows grapes and makes its own wine. Provided to China Daily

Umbria offers some of the best of the Italian countryside. Wang Shanshan discovers many delights this fertile land produces.

Our car wound for more than an hour through fields and then drove for another 20 minutes along a small road into the thick, dark woodland before stopping at the castle's giant wooden gate. The gate opened slowly in the pouring rain. A well-dressed gentleman holding an umbrella opened the car doors. "Welcome to the castle," he said.

The green heart of Italy

We followed him into a brightly lit hall.

A waiter was serving champagne. In another room, a chef was frying truffles with eggs.

A dozen courses were already arranged on a table. And they were just appetizers.

The black fungus was displayed beside the cook. We could smell its strong aroma as soon he picked it up.

Umbria is one of the few places in the world blessed with an abundance of wild truffles. Food and wine lovers hire local guides for "truffle hunting" excursions in the woods.

A white wine was served during dinner.