TASTE ISTRIA 2024
With top-tier tennis matches and a fantastic and diverse entertainment program, the 34th Plava Laguna Croatia Open Umag will be an essential destination for all lovers of Istrian scents and flavors with its Taste Istria zone. In one place, a selection of wines from esteemed Istrian winemakers, who have strengthened Istria's image as a wine region with numerous international awards and recognitions, will be presented.
Wine enthusiasts and those just becoming enthusiasts will enjoy the rich offer of Istrian varieties such as Malvasia, Teran, and Muscat from top local winemakers at various tasting points in the Taste Istria zone: Fiore, Benčić, Cattunar, Brič, Coronica, CUJ, Franković, Prelac, Tomaz, Ravalico, Vina Zigante, Geržinić, Deklić, Degrassi, Roxanich, Agrolaguna, and Rossi, who will offer gin and brandies alongside their wines.
Visitors wanting to learn more about Istrian varieties can participate in the wine tastings "Hidden Charms of Istrian Wines," now in their tenth anniversary year. These wine tastings are a sort of homage to Istrian wines, presenting the specifics and diversity of native Istrian varieties to the broader public in a relaxed atmosphere.
The wine tasting program was conceived in 2012 in collaboration with Franko Lukež, the visionary founder and president of the Croatian Sommelier Club. From the beginning, the wine tastings have won the affection of the audience and winemakers, becoming an indispensable part of the Taste Istria zone. Each day is dedicated to a theme, and the selection of wines by category is determined by selectors from the Croatian Sommelier Club, ensuring that winemakers do not appear in the same category for at least two consecutive years. From 2022, to make the competition even more attractive, a Saturday Grand Finale was introduced, where five daily winner wines compete, with the rule that the previous year's winner cannot compete again.
Visitors who want to learn more about Istrian varieties can reserve their spot at the wine tastings "Hidden Charms of Istrian Wines," where the specifics and diversity of native Istrian varieties will be presented in a beautiful setting and relaxed atmosphere. Every evening from Sunday, July 21, to Friday, July 26, at 9 PM, under the guidance of renowned HSK sommelier Lucija Matijević, selected Istrian winemakers will present their wines to participants, who will discover numerous interesting facts through tasting and conversation. The first evening will be dedicated to young Malvasias, the second to aged Terans, while the third evening will showcase sparkling wines made using the traditional method. Wednesday will be reserved for Sauvignon Blanc, and Thursday will delight lovers of aged Malvasia. Each evening will feature a visitor's choice winner, with the five winners competing in the Grand Finale to be crowned the ATP Wine of 2024.
In addition to the top-notch enological offerings, another part of the Taste Istria zone is dedicated to traditional Istrian cuisine flavors in modern interpretations by food trucks, creating irresistible culinary combinations with their contemporary approach.
Traditional Istrian flavors in a modern way with six gourmet food trucks. In addition to the excellent wine offerings, the Taste Istria zone will also feature urban food trucks that will delight with their modern interpretation of traditional Istrian flavors, creating irresistible culinary combinations. The Istrian food truck Poluotok always attracts great attention with its creations, and last year visitors especially enjoyed their Veli Jože beef burger, which includes ingredients like beef, onion jam, creamy truffle sauce, pancetta, cheddar, and lamb's lettuce, as well as the Salvore burger with shrimp, lard, sun-dried tomatoes, burrata, pistachio, and lamb's lettuce.
Fantastic flavor combinations can also be tried at the Munchy trailer, where last year people lined up for the perfect Mediterranean katsu with shrimp, as well as chicken and vegan katsu. This year, visitors will enjoy a rich offer that includes a veggie burger, bubble waffle, and Mediterranean wrap (deep-fried wrap) with chicken, prosciutto, and other combinations. The Manjada by Palagius food truck will offer perfect pizzas made according to old nonna recipes, with their timeless classic "Pizza della Nonna" promising a return to the scents and flavors of childhood. Grill lovers will most enjoy the offerings from Fredi's Grill.
This year's lineup will include three very popular new trucks. Street Food by Lukas will present burgers, tortillas, and piadinas to the Umag audience, and their Istrian burger - a blend of perfectly cooked 100% beef, mozzarella, Istrian pancetta with an irresistible truffle sauce, fresh arugula, in a soft brioche bun - is not to be missed. The truck Ema with craft ice creams will ensure no one misses their daily dose of sweet and refreshing ice cream, offering both classic dairy variants and vegan and gluten-free ones with 100% fruit content. The third newcomer will be the famous truck Ferdinand, which will offer sweet dumplings with various fillings, such as plums or apricots, as well as passion fruit and wild blackberry, leaving a lasting impression on gourmets.
