More international recognition for Croatian olive oil producers, this time from New York.
On April 14, 2016, the results of the world’s largest and most prestigious olive oil competition were revealed in New York, where over 820 olive oils from 26 countries were evaluated by an international jury of experts during the New York International Olive Oil Competition or NYIOOC.
After the great recognition by Flos Olei that named Istria as the world’s best olive oil region, 9 Croatian olive oil producers from all over the country found themselves among the world’s best extra virgin olive oils for 2016 with three gold and 6 silver medals.
As the premier international olive oil event, NYIOOC draws the most renowned judges- the very top tasters from every region – to scrutinize, one by one, every entry in order to definitively declare the Best Olive Oils in the World. The event took place from April 11-14, and according to panel leaders Konstantinos Liris, Carola Dummer Medina and Fernando Martinez Roman and 12 judging panel members, the following Croatian olive oils deserved top accolades in 2016:
Gold Medal Winners
Plominka by UTLA produced by OPG Branko Jud
Plominka by Utla is a monovarietal olive oil made of olives grown only on island Krk in Croatia. Variety Plominka was an important part of “Oleum Liburnicum”, an olive oil adored by the Romans. It is the real rhapsody of fresh olive fruit, green grass fragrance and has a flavour of fresh olive fruit with the presence of bitterness and piquancy. In order to produce olive oil of exceptional quality, the production process is monitored in strict terms and limited to small amounts. All olives are handpicked with care and cold pressed the same day.
Grimalda Moulin De La Colline Dorée, Produced by OPG Matković Milan
Green olive oil Grimalda is from the area of Central Istria in Croatia, situated 500m above sea level on a land called Bianca Terra, with a selection of old olives are the Pendolino, the Leccino, the Bianchera the Buza, picked by hand with the utmost respect for tradition. With a rate of acidity and very low peroxide, our oils are manufactured and bottled by us in our Moulin de la Doree Hill. Our oil obtained in 2015 in the BIO Label Fruity Intense Green category.
Salvela Buza, Produced by Agroprodukt
Oil made from local olive variety cultivated in the southern part of the Istrian peninsula, it as a delicious flavour of fresh almond and aromatic plants. One of the best brands, with Salvela Aurum, which is a blend of more local varieties. The origin is an olive plantation which situated on the same place where ancient Romans established olives growing with an olive mill, nearly 2,000 years ago.
Silver medal winners
Terra Rossa Bellani, Produced by Terra Rossa – OPG Francesco Bellani
Exceptional olive oil can only be achieved in harmony with nature – this is our belief. We, the Bellani family, farm 100% organically out of conviction. The Terra Rossa olive oil is produced exclusively from the olive varieties Leccino, Frantoio, Pendolino, Istarska Buza, Istarska Bjelica, which only grow in the red soils of the region of Istria (Croatia), which gives this unique oil its name.
Nonno Mio, Produced by OPG Papatoma
Nonno Mio… olive oil is made from Oblica variety olives, sustainably grown in a century-old grove of our family on the Island of Brac. Carefully gathered by hand, these olives are taken to the mill within a few hours from picking to preserve all the valuable components. It results in an exceptional harmonic oil with lovely fruity flavor, equilibrated bitterness, and pungency.
Ol Istria Ascolana, Produced by Agrolaguna
North Mediterranean climate, specific soil on 220 hectares on the western coast of Istria and the selection of olive varieties grown on the estate, coupled with the early harvesting and pressing of olives immediately after picking, result in oils that have an enviable collection of national and regional awards for their unique features.
Milos, Produced by Miloš
Olives are handpicked from renewed centennial trees on the Peljesac peninsula, not far from our vineyards. The oil produced using a cold pressing technique leaves a fresh and fruity flavour enriched with the aroma of the green macchia.
Monte Rosso Blend Selection, Produced by Monte Rosso d.o.o.
Monte Rosso extra virgin olive oil blend selection has an intense limpid golden yellow colour. Its aroma is fine and delicate, endowed with definite vegetal hints of artichoke and wild chicory, together with fragrant notes of mint and rosemary. Its taste is mellow and harmonic and a spicy note of black pepper and almond. Bitterness and pungency are present and well balanced. It would be ideal on a bruschetta, artichoke salads, tomatoes au gratin, roast radicchio, lentil puree, pasta with porcini mushrooms, barbecued swordfish, grilled poultry.
Nonno Bruno, Produced by Uljara Nonno Bruno
Olive oil Buza is the most common sort of olive in Istria, Croatia. This is a plant with strong and exuberantly growth. The picoline olives are harvested by hand and we can process them within 24 hours.
Photos by NYIOOC and official websites of the olive oil producers
