Author: villasborghetto Date: 28.09.21 Category: Blog

Thanks to its authentic dishes, which are prepared at a large number of simple agritourisms, taverns or top class restaurants, the Istrian gastronomic scene is widely known everywhere in the world. Every true gourmet must enjoy delicious Istrian prosciutto, fuži with truffles, meat of Boškarin or ombolo accompanied by golden drops of the highest quality olive oil and a glass of top istrian wine.

Istria is known as a region of good cuisine, and the secret lies in simplicity and tradition. Namely, the reason why many tourists around the world enjoy Istrian cuisine is precisely that traditional Istrian dishes are prepared simply, with the highest quality ingredients, directly from the diligent hands of hardworking Croatian farmers. Istrian tradition dictates natural ingredients, meat, fish, wild herbs, aromatic spices and seasonal vegetables.

When you first travel to an area, local food and drink is the top of the list of what you definitely want to try and experience. Istrian gastronomy is a faithful reflection of all the historical, geographical and climatic features of our area. A great recognition of Istrian gastronomy happened to Istria in 2018, when the edition of the prestigious culinary guide Michelin included as many as 15 Istrian restaurants, including Monte in Rovinj, San Rocco, Morgan, Zigante, Damir & Ornella, Zigante, Alla Beccaccia and others… on their recommendation lists offering the most delicious dishes of Istrian cusine.

Istrian truffle

The pinnacle of Istrian gastronomy, truffles, will complete the Istrian gastronomic offer. While true gourmets sometimes can’t agree on whether a truffle is food or a spice, everyone will agree on one thing – that it is fantastic. In small quantities, truffles enrich every dish and turn them into a real gourmet event. Over time, Istrian truffles have become more and more established in the preparation of first-class specialties.

If you chose Istria region as your holiday destination in autumn, be sure to visit the Zigante Truffle Days which will take place from 18 September to 14 November 2021. Enjoy unique dishes in restaurant Zigante based on fresh white and black truffles or simply visit the nearby Zigante store where you will find a wide range of truffle products that you can also taste for free.

In order to bring a touch of adventure for all true truffle lovers Zigante is organizing a truffle hunting demonstration with a licensed truffle hunter and his irreplaceable partners, truffle hunting dogs.

Some of the best restaurants which offer truffles as part of their menus are Buščina, Morgan, San Rocco, Stara oštarija, Stari podrum, Toklarija and Zigante, so don’t miss them!

Istrian Olive oils

Istrian bjelica, črnica, rošinjola, buža… and other autochthonous Istrian olive sorts, so called „golden drops“, are a part of Istrian culinary experience which you should’t miss when visiting Istria. The knowledge, love and hard work of Istrian olive growers are woven into the production of the oil itself, and the millennial tradition has become one of the symbols of Mediterranean civilization in general.

In the most important global guide to the world’s extra virgin oils, Flos Olei, Istria has been repeatedly proclaimed the best olive oil destination in the world, and Istrian oils today make up 15% of all oils represented in it.

Try the highests quality Istrian extra virgin olive oils with intense taste and aroma at one of the best olive oil producers as Olea BB, Mate, Belci – Meloto, Chiavalon, Ipša family, Meneghetti and many others…

In privacy of Borghetto villas you can as well try extra virgin Divino olive oil, in our own production, which has as well taken place in Flos Olei 2021 recognition list. Divino olive oil was already twice awarded with gold in New York World olive oil competition (2018, 2019).

Wines

Istria is a region where wine is just as important to the locals as the air they breathe. The modern story of wine began in the northwest of Istria. In the early 1990s, some new technologies were introduced into antique wine production that helped lead to a great boom in production. The wine revival was made possible by young winemakers who readily took over the vineyards from their ancestors. It was they who decided to take matters into their own hands and create wonderful varieties of wine that many enjoy today.

Two thirds of all vineyards are occupied by the famous Istrian Malvasia. It is synonymous with Istrian white wine and grows only in our areas. In addition to Malvasia, there is also Teran, a red wine used in making a traditional dish – Istrian “supa”, amazing Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

True wine lovers will certainly not miss the opportunity to try Muscat wines in Istria, such as Momjan Muscat and Poreč Muscat Rose.

Although there are a large number of winemakers, we suggest you to visit a few leading ones: Kozlović Winery, Kabola, Clai, Rossi, Meneghetti, Cattunar or Matošević. Istria region is surely wine paradise where you can taste top class wines and enjoy the incredible view on many vineyards.

Now that you have learned a little bit about the Istrian gastronomy, we invite you to explore our top fine dinining restaurants, to reward yourself with the most delicious meals of Istrian delicacies and enjoy the exquisite Istrian wines while relaxing in our gorgeous luxury Borghetto villas by the sea.