Gourmet Guide
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North-western Istria gourmet guide UMAGO CITTÀNOVA VERTENEGLIO BUIE UMAG NOVIGRAD BRTONIGLA BUJE Northwestern Istria gourmet guide Content 4 Introduction 7 The Preservation of Historical Sites and the Environment 8 The Food and Wine of North-western Istria 10 The Secrets of Extra Virgin Gold - The Olive Oil Route 11 The Story of the Robust Wine, Teran - The Istrian Teran Route 12 Mischievous Istrian Beauty - The Istrian Malvasia Route 14 In the Empire of the Momjan Muscat - The Momjan Muscat Route 15 The Power of Tradition: the Istrian Ox - The Native Istrian Ox Route 16 The Underground Lord of Flavour - The White Truffle Route 18 Traditional flavours of Istrian Cuisine - The Agrotourism and Home Cooking Route 20 Spring Walk - The Wild Asparagus Route 22 Autumn Sea Rhapsody - The Sole Fish Route 24 Winter Joys of the Adriatic - The Adriatic Squid Route 26 At the End or the Beginning of the Journey - The Shellfish Route Information and contacts Recommended restaurants, taverns, agro tourism, wine and olive oil routes in north-western Istria Accommodation facilities in north-western Istria Impressum Published by: Tourist Boards Umag, Novigrad, Brtonigla, Buje; Design: Studio Sonda, Poreč; Photographs: Archive of Istria Tourist Board; Archive of Tourist Boards Umag, Novigrad, Brtonigla, Buje; Printed by: Arty d.o.o, Umag; Edition: 25.000, Year: 2013 www.coloursofistria.com 3 Northwestern Istria gourmet guide Northwestern Istria gourmet guide Introduction Istria North-western Istria Istria, this magical and diverse miniature world, is also the largest peninsula on the Adriatic Sea, located at the foot of the Alps. North-western Istria stretches from the Slovenian border in the north to the In a relatively small area you will find a plethora of green fields and hills, River Mirna in the south. Here we find a large variety of natural wealth, vineyards and olive groves, as well as seaside towns rich in historical and from the mainly flatland area located near the shore, mainly dominated by cultural heritage. In the continental parts of the Istrian peninsula there are shrubs and fertile arable fields, to the gentle green hills. medieval towns dotted around the hilltops and surrounded by mighty de- fensive walls. For some decades now, Istria has been well known as a tourist From these hills the view spreads out over streams and small rivers, mean- destination, with gentle beaches, a pleasant climate and a crystal clear sea. dering all the way to the fertile valley of the River Mirna. Istria is a region which is increasingly being discovered by many visitors as There are traces of a rich historical heritage in many places. The medieval a holiday destination with excellent hotels, top quality wines and olive oils, town of Grožnjan, famous for its extraordinary beauty, is one of the most numerous restaurants and rural tourism. interesting sites and is also famous for its numerous artists’ colonies and In short, Istria is a treasure chest full of diverse beauty and gourmet food, not events held there during the summer. In addition, the towns of Brtonigla too far from major European cities. With the aid of this booklet, we will help and Momjan are famous fortheir wine making traditions; Umag is the town you to get to know the region and the people of northwest Istria. of tennis, and Savudrija the place most connected with the sea and fishing. Further, the town of Novigrad is noteworthy for its perfectly preserved de- fensive walls and the city hall located right next to the sea, and then there is Buje, known as the “oil town” for its olive groves. 4 www.coloursofistria.com www.coloursofistria.com 5 Northwestern Istria gourmet guide The Preservation of Historical Sites and the Environment Here in Istria we are very proud of the cleanliness of our environment, which you can witness at every step of the way. In cooperation with the Istria Tourist Board, our offices are striving to preserve this beauty through the “Let my Istria Shine” initiative, which includes activities and workshops for children, teaching them to love our region from earliest childhood. Help us keep the environment clean for future generations. We would also ask you to not leave litter at the historical sites during your visits. www.coloursofistria.com 7 Northwestern Istria gourmet guide The Food and Wine of North-western Istria The north-western region of Istria, thanks to its diverse natural wealth in a relatively small space, is an ideal destination for an interesting vaca- tion, with exquisite food. The region has a coastline rich in fish and in- land hills filled with truffles and wild flora. In order to help you plan your visit and choose from the array of bars and taverns, we are offering you eleven food and wine routes which contain the best of north-western Istria. Some of our routes offer selected local recipes, should you wish to try to prepare our specialties at home. We wish you a pleasant stay and an unforgettable holiday in north- western Istria! 8 www.coloursofistria.com Northwestern Istria gourmet guide Northwestern Istria gourmet guide Enogastronomical itineraries Enogastronomical itineraries The Secrets of Extra Virgin Gold The Story of the Robust Wine, Teran (The Olive Oil Route) (The Istrian Teran Route) Savudrija Savudrija Teran is a very old grape variety, one of the most widespread red grape Olive trees, the most durable of trees and the symbol of the Mediterranean, 7 7 varieties in Istria. According to the available written records, Teran was first 1 have been grown here for centuries. Istrian olive oil has been appreciated 16 since the time of the Ancient Romans who considered it a delicacy of excep- mentioned 600 years ago. Plovanija 6 11 12 tional quality, as may be seen in written records from the first century AD. It Umag It was written that Teran was given as a gift to Emperor’s ambassadors in 12 8 6 Momjan 15 is slightly bitter when tasted, has an intense aroma and is an unsurpassed Umag 1390, who were given 20 ceramic bottles, and later, in 1408, Teran was 10 Buje 13 11 13 seasoning for the best of meals. Olive oil is the most valuable oil in the 5 3 Brtonigla given as a gift to the Venetian Ambassador, and in 1411 to the Ambassador 2 17 9 Buje 3 human diet, also used to cure many health problems, and is, according to 10 Livade of Austria. These facts certainly add to the value and quality of this red Is- Brtonigla Grožnjan 14 some, the elixir of life itself. 1 4 trian wine. The first description of Teran comes from the Istrian agronomist 2 9 4 5 8 Novigrad Today, Istrian olive oil is once again in its rightful place; at the top of the Petar Stanković from 1825, while in local professional literature, Teran has 15 world. According to the renowned guide for extra virgin oils “L’extravergine” been talked about for around 180 years. Novigrad Istrian olive oil is, for the fifth year in a row, among the top fifteen best 14 Olive oil manufacturers Just a few years ago, Teran was much more bitter in taste than today, but rated olive oils in the world. 1. Agrofin – Ulje Mate, Zambratija Istrian winemakers succeeded in reducing its acerbity considerably by bal- 2. Agrolaguna, Brtonigla Wine makers On our olive oil route you have a unique opportunity to see colourful olive ancing modern technology and traditional processes to decrease the apple 3. Agro – Millo, Baredine 4. Al Torcio, Novigrad groves situated on cascading hill slopes, perfectly incorporated into the acid in the wine, giving it a whole new quality. 1. Agrolaguna, Brtonigla 5. Babić, Novigrad landscape. You will also have the opportunity to learn about the techniques 2. Cattunar, Nova Vas We are sure that the modern Teran, the best examples of which can be 6. CUJ – Kraljević, Farnežine of growing olives and the production of extra virgin oil, and also, in the 3. Celega, Buje 7. Farma Jola, Savudrija found here in north-western Istria on our Istrian Teran Route, will be ap- 4. Clai – Bijele zemlje, Brajki, Krasica unique and original setting of our oil pressing facilities, to taste and buy 8. Franco Basiaco, Buje preciated by many. Teran has a characteristic ruby red colour which is given 5. Coronica, Koreniki some of the best Istrian oils. In this way, you can take the genuine flavours 9. Ipša, Ipši a purple tint when swirled in a glass. The aroma is pleasant, strong and 6. CUJ – Kraljević, Farnežine 10. Marija Buršić, Nova Vas of Istria home with you. easily recognizable, the typical fruity character dominated by the fragrance 7. Degrassi, Savudrija 11. Marijan Cosseto, Krasica 8. Dešković, Kostanjica 12. Marino Civitan, Kremenje You can find more information and the list of extra virgin olive oil pro- of raspberries. The relatively high acid content and the certain degree of 9. Gambaletto, Brajki, Krasica 13. Nino Činić, Krasica ducers on the website www.istria-gourmet.com and in the Istria Gourmet acidity combined with the high percentage of extract, give this wine its 10. Kabola, Kremenje 14. Obitelj Cattunar, Nova Vas brochure. characteristic full, strong and robust, but at the same time complete taste. 15. OPG Maglica, Bibali, Buje 11. Kozlović, Vale, Momjan Because it is a well-rounded wine and contains a high antioxidant count, 16. OPG Zigante, Plovanija 12. Sinković, Sv. Mauro, Momjan 17. Remiggio Benvegnu, Gardoši, Krasica it is considered to be beneficial to health. 13. Vina Franković, Buje 14. Vino P&P, Novigrad You can find more information and the list of winemakers on the website 15.