North-western Istria The Mediterranean World of Flavour Contents North-western Istria Gourmand’s Paradise 4 Gastronomic Pulse of the Region Something for Everyone 6 Food and Wine Itineraries Routes of Unforgettable Flavours 12 Istria Wine & Walk. Gastronomic manifestation. 20 Calendar of Events In the Feisty Rhythm of Tasty Food 21 Calendar of Pleasures 24 Package Tours Tailored Experiences 26 Information and Contacts 27 North-western Istria Gourmand’s Paradise Croatia Istria North-western Istria Just like a magic chest, north-western Easily accessible from a num- The heart-shaped Istria is easily reached The truffle, considered by many the king Istria abounds with untouched natural from all European cities. This largest of the world gastronomy and ascribed beauties, small architectural wonders ber of European countries, Adriatic peninsula is situated in the west- aphrodisiac characteristics and exceptional and a luxurious spectrum of colours, north-western Istria inspires ernmost part of Croatia, at the junction of culinary power, grows here. Except on the tastes and flavours. the quest for the culinary Central Europe and the Mediterranean. truffle, the Istrian cuisine also relies on home-made pasta, fish and seafood, sea- A curious visitor will find everything legacy of former generations. The north-western part of Istria welcomes sonal vegetables, home-made prosciutto required for a relaxed or active holiday, Visitors can choose from a all travellers offering them the hospital- and cheese and a variety of wild herbs. in the perfect blend of tradition and ity of the seaside towns of Umag and contemporary tourist needs. wide variety of specialities – Novigrad and picturesque inland towns of The rich variety of food is contributed from the modern Istrian sushi Buje and Brtonigla. The attractive Medi- to olive oils and wines produced by small If you happen to be a gourmand, you terranean shore of the region is just a ten plantations and awarded recognitions will soon discover that you have come and inventive truffle-based minute drive from its green inland dotted throughout the world, and the gastro- to the right place - to a region with combinations to the old- with delightful hillocks, forests and fields nomic pulse is equally strong in modern irresistible culinary tradition combining fashioned dishes preserved presided over by the centuries old towns restaurants and traditional taverns pre- continental specialities with delicacies of Grožnjan and Oprtalj with a magical serving the original characteristics of the from the sea and the shore. through the oral transmission view of the valley of the largest Istrian local cuisine. of folk knowledge. River Mirna. Welcome and enjoy your food! 4 www.coloursofistria.com www.coloursofistria.com 5 Gastronomic Pulse of the Region Something for Everyone Every season unveils a different face (taste) of enogastronomy in north-western Istria. Obitelj Ipša, Livade 96 O.P.G. Giancarlo Zigante, Plovanija 95 Istria Gourmet Guide 2015/2016: O.P.G. Franco Basiaco, Buje 95 Excellent winemakers: O.P.G. Enio Zubin, Umag 95 Al Torcio, Novigrad 92 Moreno Degrassi, Savudrija O.P.G. Buršić, Brtonigla 92 Vina Kabola, Momjan Obitelj Grubić, Bale 92 Kozlović vinarija, Momjan Mate, Savudrija 92 Very good winemakers: Capo, Brtonigla 91 O.P.G. Cossetto, Krasica 91 Capo vina, Brtonigla Cuj Olive Oil&Wine, Umag 91 Vina Cattunar, Brtonigla Uljara Babić, Novigrad 90 Giorgio Clai, Krasica Reale M.Kraljević, Brtonigla 90 Moreno Coronica, Umag O.P.G. Marija Ipša, Oprtalj 89 Cuj, Umag Istrian olive oil routes will take you to Olive oil is added to finished dishes in Obitelj Antonac, Grožnjan 88 The following pages present just Sauvignon or Chardonnay are not in Fiore vina, Umag some of the best drops of olive oil in its pure form. We should bear in mind O.P.G. Nino Činić, Krasica 88 a fraction of what awaits you in this short supply in the modern cellars of Prelac vina, Momjan the world. Istrian olive oils were appre- that only the highest quality extra virgin O.P.G. Viviano Antolović, Grožnjan 86 hidden part of Europe. the Bujština region. Ravalico vinarstvo, Brtonigla ciated even in the time of the Roman olive oils possess the numerous healing Branko Čeko, Umag 86 Sinković Libero, Momjan Wine roads will take you to the very Empire. Over the last decade, Istria properties valued in olive oils. Franko Červar, Novigrad 86 Robert Parker, an American wine Veralda, Brtonigla essence of Istrian living, nurturing experienced a revival of olive-growing O.P.G. Flavio Kmet, Umag 86 expert having a critical say on the a special connection with wine and and many growers furnished tasting San Rocco - Ob. Fernetich, Brtonigla 86 international market, raised the grapevine from times immemorial. rooms in which visitors are presented Laguna Novigrad, Novigrad 85 value of our renowned winemakers. Vinibuoni d’Italia 2015: Selected olive-growers The modern story of Istria and wine with the liquid balm, crowned with Monte Rosso, Umag 85 Parker’s first review of Croatian Istria Gourmet Guide can in many ways be traced back to Capo vina, Brtonigla numerous awards. Edo Pincin - Monticello, Grožnjan 85 wines abounds with praises to the the north-west of the Istrian peninsula. Vina Cattunar, Brtonigla 2015/2016: Olive Charm, Umag 84 progress of wine making in Istria, Make sure to taste the indigenous Giorgio Clai, Krasica Should you decide to pay a visit to a O.P.G. Damir Vanđelić, Umag 83 with the highest grades awarded to Agrofin uljara, Savudrija varieties of Momjan Muscat, Istrian Moreno Coronica, Umag particular point on the olive oil route O.P.G. Boris Galić, Grožnjan 83 Kabola, Kozlović, Coronica and Clai. Al Torcio, Novigrad Malvasia and Teran, although interna- Moreno Degrassi, Savudrija O.P.G. Goran Vižintin, Buje 83 - alone or in a group - you will find Franco Basiaco, Buje tional varieties like Merlot, Cabernet Vina Kabola, Momjan Damaval, Buje 82 the hosts in the olive grove or in cool Buršić fam., Brtonigla Kozlović vinarija, Momjan O.P.G. Dario Vigini, Momjan 81 MICHELIN - ITINERARI taverns in which they keep their extra Cuj Olive Oil&Wine, Umag Zigante, Grožnjan virgin olive oils with maximum care. TRA I VIGNETI: Ipša fam., Oprtalj The “Flos Olei” guide provides a review In the neighbouring Italy, Istrian wines Zigante Giancarlo, Livade of the best extra virgin olive oils by Giorgio Clai, Krasica are nothing new: the experts of re- Today, Istrian olive oils are once again Uljara Babić, Novigrad choosing them between the oils of Moreno Coronica, Umag nowned guide “Vinibuoni d’Italia” once at their rightful place – at the top of the Zubin Enio, Umag manufacturers from over 40 countries world. According to the renowned Cuj, Umag again visited Istria and selected 20 best worldwide. In the latest showdown for guide for extra virgin oils “Flos Olei”, the “Flos Olei”, north-western Istria had Moreno Degrassi, Savudrija wineries, among which as many as eight from north-western Istria. oils of Istrian manufacturers are, for the its moment of glory due to the high Vina Kabola, Momjan eighth year in a row, among the 20 best scores awarded to the olive-growers Kozlović vinarija, Momjan rated olive oils in the world. from the region. 6 www.coloursofistria.com www.coloursofistria.com 7 The restaurants and taverns of north-western Istria found their place on the Le guide de L’Espresso - lists of the best restaurants which made it to the prestigious world guides - I Ristoranti d’Italia 2015: Gault Millau, I Ristoranti d’Italia, Jeunes Restaurants d’Europe... Gault & Millau 2015: Damir & Ornela, Novigrad Damir & Ornella, Novigrad 16 Čok, Novigrad Selected restaurants and taverns Marina, Novigrad 15 San Rocco Gourmet, Brtonigla Marina, Novigrad Istria Gourmet Guide Pepenero, Novigrad 15 Buščina, Marija na Krasu 2015/2016: Zigante, Livade 15 Astarea, Brtonigla Morgan, Brtonigla 14 A prestigious Italian gourmet guide San Rocco, Brtonigla 14 Buščina, Marija na Krasu “Le guide de L’Espresso - I Ristoranti Čok, Novigrad Stari Kaštel, Buje 14 d’Italia” is one of the several publi- Damir & Ornella, Novigrad Čok, Novigrad 14 cations published under the name of “L’Espresso” by the international San Rocco Gourmet, Brtonigla Buščina, Umag 14 publisher RCS Media Group. Although Zigante, Livade Mare e Monti, Umag 14 the guide primarily covers the Italian Stari Podrum, Momjan 12,5 gastronomic region, Istrian restaurants “Istria Gourmet”, a wine and food guide and taverns were also included. through Istria, was established in 1996. The leading Austrian guide “Gault The initial 50 best restaurants and taverns Millau” included Istrian restaurants grew into the present two hundred. Then, onto its pages for the first time in just like today, the only criteria for making its 2002 edition. In that year, four of it into the top company was excellent their culinary hats appeared in Istria, JRE: cooking, and those with the highest ranking but their number is rapidly increasing are awarded the designation TOP. Entry into every year. Gault Millau rates the Damir & Ornella, Novigrad the “Istria Gourmet” guide must be earned kitchen by its seasonality and freshne- San Rocco Gourmet, Brtonigla anew every year. ss of theproducts used, creativity and Pergola, Savudrija harmoniousness of preparation, none Marina, Novigrad of which are lacking in the restaurants You can familiarize yourself with of north-western Istria. Istrian cuisine by visiting one of the Jeunes Restaurateurs d’Europe gath- numerous restaurants, taverns or agro- ers young chefs and owners of over tourisms, always nurturing a special 350 restaurants from 11 European Agrotourisms: relationship with the guest. countries and Australia. The organiza- Klaj, Fiorini tion considered to be a gateway for Radešič, Punta, Krasica The hosts will welcome you as a joining those crowned with Michelin San Mauro, Momjan friend, acquaint you with the customs, stars,made Croatia its member three Dešković, Kostanjica, Grožnjan culture and gastronomy, ensuring a re- years ago.