Truffle Mania Attracts Foodies From Afar

Istria, Croatia October 12, 2006 - U.S. epicures and adventurers may soon find themselves booking passage for a new corner of the globe. An emerald jewel in the blue sea near Venice, Istria's unspoiled Mediterranean scenery and old-world hospitality have put this Croatian peninsula on the map. Dazzling wines, impeccably fresh seafood, olives, wild mushrooms and the world's finest truffles have made the region the next 'it' destination.
October 23 and 24, Istria (or Istra as it is known in Croatia) will host the 10th Annual Golden Truffle celebration where internationally-acclaimed chefs showcase their mastery of the homely delicacy in two exclusive dinners. Open by invitation to international food critics and other dignitaries, this fall's featured chefs include Michelin 3-star award-winners Nadia and Antonio Santini of Italy's Restaurant Dal Pescatore, 2-star award-winners Marie and Claude Bosi of London's Hibiscus Restaurant, and the first American to be invited, chef/co-owner Todd Humphries of Napa Valley, California's Martini House.
While most of us will have to be content with reading about the exclusive event, there are plenty of opportunities for the average truffle fanatic. Istria is abundant in world-class specimens of white and black truffles August through May, including the annual harvest of rare white tuber magantum Pico and legendary black tuber melanosporum.
Those hoping to take part in truffle hunting parties, wine tastings and cooking classes will find the perfect envoy in Shelley Wolfe, president of Napa Valley's Wine & Dine Events and Adventures. Invited last spring by USAid to share her specialized travel expertise with Istria's tourism industry, Wolfe discovered "an uncommonly beautiful Mediterranean destination, with a delicious integration of first-class cuisine and gracious culture." Enchanting villas, sophisticated restaurants, wineries, cheese makers, farmsteads, olive groves and fishermen beckon food and wine connoisseurs. Golf, yachting, cycling, fishing, horseback riding, well-preserved Roman ruins and spa treatments sweeten the package.
In addition to custom tours, Wolfe is organizing two culinary festivals in 2007 featuring Istrian and Napa Valley chefs, artisan food producers and vintners: May 18-20 in Istria and July 15-17 in Napa Valley. For information, call 800.946.3868, e-mail shelley@winedineevents.com or visit www.winedineevents.com. For more information about Istria, visit www.istra.hr/en.
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