Unveiling the Essence of Catalonia: Celebrating the Finest Extra Virgin Olive Oils at the Nit de l'Oli Gala

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A Celebration of Excellence: Catalonia's Top Olive Oils Recognized

The region of Catalonia is renowned for its high-quality olive oil production, and this reputation was further solidified at the inaugural Nit de l'Oli (Night of the Oil) gala. The event celebrated the ten best extra virgin olive oils, bringing together industry leaders, producers, and enthusiasts to acknowledge and promote the excellence of Catalonian olive oil.

The Festival of Oil

Highlighting Catalonia's Diverse Olive Varieties

The festival, held in La Fatarella, a town in Terra Alta, marked its 25th edition by hosting the first awards for the best Catalonian extra virgin olive oils. The region boasts over eighty olive varieties and five protected designation of origin (PDO) labels: Garrigues, Siurana, Terra Alta, Baix Ebre-Montsià, and Empordà. These awards aim to elevate the profile of these distinguished areas and their products.

The Top 10 Olive Oils

This year, out of 132 contenders, ten olive oils were recognized as the finest of 2024 for their quality and excellence. The winning brands included Finques by L'Olivera SCCL, Cal Portalé Picual by Cal Portalé SCP, Mas Curró Extra by Agrícola Mas Curró SL, and several others. This recognition not only honors the artisans behind these creations but also the rich diversity of Catalan olive oils.

A Diverse Celebration of Excellence

Celebrating Varied Categories

Apart from the top ten, 83 oils received recognition across several categories, such as Grand Producers' EVOOs, Small Producers' EVOOs, Organic Production Oils, Monovarietal Oils, Oils from Projects Recovering Native Varieties, Best Culinary Pairing, and Best Packaging.

The Inaugural Nit de l'Oli Gala

The awards ceremony took place during a grand gala dinner held in a special marquee at the local football field. With around 300 attendees connected to the olive oil sector, the event underscored the importance of recognizing excellence and innovation in olive oil production.

Driving the Industry Forward

Building a Guide to Catalonia's Best

The Minister of Agriculture, Òscar Ordeig, stated the awards would contribute to creating the first guide of Catalonia's best olive oils. This initiative aims to 'dynamize the sector' and elevate it to 'excellence'. The awards also seek to increase the value of extra virgin olive oil (OOVE) in the culinary world, media, and among consumers, thereby boosting pride and self-esteem surrounding this versatile product.

Securing the Future of Olive Oil

In light of past discontent regarding political interests at Iberian olive oil fairs, the gala reaffirmed a commitment to recognizing local producers. Plans are underway to establish a Catalan Institute of Olive Oil and to introduce university courses in olive milling, enhancing innovation, quality, and the training of future industry professionals.

The inaugural Nit de l'Oli marks a significant milestone in recognizing the quality and diversity of Catalonian olive oils, a cherished element of Mediterranean cuisine and culture, and sets the stage for future growth and global recognition of the region's finest products.

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