“I am especially pleased that, for the first time ever, we will have a Michelin corner at the Plava Laguna Croatia Open Umag. Everyone already knows that Istria, Croatia’s top winemaking and culinary region, has been given its own edition of the Michelin Guide. Eight of the select restaurants are in the Northwestern Istria Cluster, and four will participate in the tournament. We will have stands featuring some of Istria’s best wines and some of the world’s top olive oils. For the second time now, Istria has been voted the best olive-growing region in the world, and the best oil comes from Umag of all places. I believe all this has intrigued you enough to encourage you to find out why Umag’s shoulder season, peak season, and off-season boast the colors of wines and olive oils,” said Milovan Popović, head of the Umag Tourist Board.
The chefs who will be cooking at the Michelin stand have revealed which specialties they will be making for the tournament visitors. The chefs include Ivan Badurina from the Badi Restaurant, Teo Fernetich from San Rocco, Fabricio Vežnaver from Pergola, Zdravko Tomšić, author of the menu at the Naša Kužina Restaurant, Damir Modrušan from the Zigante Restaurant and Marin Medak from the RougeMarin Restaurant.
Good eating is always accompanied by a good glass of wine, and Michelin has awarded recommendations to 16 Istrian wines. Visitors will be able to taste 10 of them at this year’s Istria Gourmet Festival and the Hidden Charms of the Istrian Wines program, hosted by the famous sommelier Emil Perdec.
“At this Plava Laguna Croatia Open Umag we will present around 30 winemakers. It is a great honor that 10 of the 16 Michelin-recommended Istrian wines will participate in the tournament. The Hidden Charms of Istrian Wines tastings, in which I have participated since 2015, will present visitors with three wines each night, a different variety every time. On the last day, just before the tennis finale, we will choose the best of the best and proclaim the ATP wine of the year,” explained sommelier Emil Perdec.
In its 29 years, the popular Plava Laguna Croatia Open tournament has justified its title of the best tennis tournament in the region many times. With great players and an excellent party program, Umag locals and their guests will enjoy top specialties and many new additions to the Istria Gourmet Festival.
“Today we are presenting the list of the excellent young chefs and winemakers who will give us an opportunity to enjoy various Istrian specialties. Every year we strive to add something new to the ATP event. This year, borne by the Michelin Guide, we are presenting the recommended restaurants and winemakers. The Plava Laguna Croatia Open Umag will welcome you with select specialties and superb wines, as well as great energy for tennis and entertainment. I invite all of you to join us and enjoy,” said Arlen Brozić, director of the tournament’s executive committee, thanking all sponsors who helped make Istria Gourmet Festival a reality.
Detailed information about the Istria Gourmet Festival 2018 offer can be found here.
