For the second time in recent years, our very own Casale Sonnino Extra Virgin Olive Oil has been rated among the best
extra virgin olive oil in the World – taking home a Silver Award for the medium blend northern hemisphere at the 2016
New York International Olive Oil Competition (NYIOOC).
We were very honored to receive this award. The real prize for us though was the fact that our oil passed the high standards of the panel of super judges, hailing from all over the world.
Tough Competition from Around the World
At the NYIOOC, 820 entries from 26 countries were evaluated and rated on a variety of sensory attributes in blind tastings (the bottles and labels are hidden).
Italy took home the most awards with 109, Spain came in second with 78, followed by the US with 50 awards. 200 producers from Italy submitted samples and 58% were winners. Casale Sonnino Extra Virgin Olive Oil from our small family grove located in the Castelli Romani is truly
Rome’s liquid gold!
Selecting a Great Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Just like fine wine, every vintage has its own unique olfactory and taste sensory characteristics. The oil from the same trees is significantly different year-to-year depending on the olive cultivars, the soil, the weather and the whims of Mother Nature.
How is High Quality Olive Oil Evaluated?
Professional tasters can determine immediately if the oil has “defects” – if it musty or fusty and having a disagreeable odor. An oil with defects is definitely “bad” and can not be labeled “Extra Virgin” nor should it be brought to market. If the oil is “good”, then the judges go on to evaluate and rank the oils on specific characteristics and dimensions.
What’s the initial impression and feel on the tongue? What flavors hit the mouth and going down the throat? What’s the lingering taste as the oil hits the back of the throat? Is the oil light or heavy, delicate, medium or robust? Is there a lasting peppery finish? What other foods does the oil taste like?
There are all kinds of descriptors given to an olive oil. Green bananas, grass, fruity, peppery, herbs, tomatoes, almonds, even coffee and chocolate are just some of the “flavors” found in fine extra virgin olive oil.
About Our Silver Medalist Oil
Casale Sonnino Extra Virgin Olive Oil is a unique blend of estate-grown Rosciola, Carboncella, Venina and Tuscan Leccino cultivars and a smattering of about 15 other varieties. The olives were gathered in October 2015 for a period of about 3 weeks and cold pressed immediately at a local mill under our direct supervision.
The following description was given by the judges at this year’s NYIOOC for Casale Sonnino Extra Virgin Olive Oil:
“Aromas of fruit, green grass, ripe fruits and notes of balsamic. Taste exhibits abundant fruitiness, green grass, sweetness, bitterness, medium pungency and notes of eucalyptus, with exceptional harmony, a high complexity and a high persistence.”
