New Extra Virgin Olive Oil Savantes tasting program dates - Melbourne (July 2013) and New York (August 2013) registrations open! Click here for more information...
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Extra Virgin Olive Oil Savantes Tasting Programme - Melbourne
Tasting the World’s Leading Olive Oils
Melbourne, Australia - 24th - 26th July, 2013
In 13 years Extra Virgin Olive Oil Savantes has held over 25 olive oil tasting programmes in many countries – Spain, Italy, United States of America, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

During this time the three-day programme has evolved into one of the world’s leading independent forums for the commercially important attributes of extra virgin olive oil. Participants in the programme are able to:
- Taste the wide range of styles and flavour of extra virgin olive oils from many regions around the world
- Taste international award winners from the northern and southern hemispheres
- Evaluate your own new season extra virgin olive oil by comparison
- Discuss market trends in producing and importing countries
- Explore the culinary and health selling points of extra virgin olive oil
Read more: Extra Virgin Olive Oil Savantes Tasting Programme - Melbourne
Savantes Takes Leading Extra Virgin Olive Oils to Manhattan, New York
Savantes Returns to New York with Leading Extra Virgin Olive Oils
Extra Virgin Olive Oil Savantes - New York, USA
August 21 - 23, 2013
Following Extra Virgin Olive Oil Savantes tasting programmes held in New York in 2012 and February 2013, Extra Virgin Olive Oil Savantes returns to New York bringing extra virgin olive oils judged to be the best in the world for tasting from August 21 - 23, 2013.

Founded in 2001, Savantes is an independent organisation which promotes excellence in the evaluation of extra virgin olive oils and their culinary use. The three-day programme highlights the unique tastes of olive oils from all regions around the world. Sessions also discuss the current market conditions and health benefits of extra virgin olive oil.
Read more: Savantes Takes Leading Extra Virgin Olive Oils to Manhattan, New York
Savantes New York Affirms Commitment to Quality
Six days of intensive olive oil tasting and discussion of every aspect of the marketplace at the inaugural Savantes programme in New York will bring long-term benefits to American and Canadian consumers, and to the olive oil trade.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil Savantes has as its main aim to promote excellence in the production and use of extra virgin olive oil worldwide. This is achieved by sharing knowledge through tasting excellent extra virgin olive oils and openly discussing their use and trade. Participants get the benefit of tasting a wide range of styles and flavours and suppliers of the oils receive exposure for their products.
Spain Wins Gold Medal Tally at Los Angeles Extra Virgin Olive Oil Show
The Los Angeles International Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition provides an opportunity to compare the products entered from the major producing countries and the USA. The Northern Hemisphere segment has just been completed with 516 entries.
The comparative performance of olive oils from countries with over 20 entries shows that Spain outperformed all other countries with 31% of the entries being awarded gold medals.

Italy came second with 22% gold, followed by USA with 19%, Greece with 15% and Portugal with 4%. With the exception of Greece (59%) around 75% of entries were awarded medals.
Read more: Spain Wins Gold Medal Tally at Los Angeles Extra Virgin Olive Oil Show
Red Island Sell Out
The Red Island brand has been sold to Boundary Bend Limited for $4 million in cash. Red Island is the second highest performing brand in Australian supermarkets, Cobram Estate, also owned by Boundary Bend, is the highest.
A spokesperson for the Australian Olive Association commented ‘This acquisition will ensure that both brands thrive and will potentially lead to more Australian olive oil being sold on supermarket shelves which is a good thing for growers and for consumers’ (Weekly Times 21 November 2012’.
AOA Tops Medal Tally in 2012
An analysis of some of the most recognised extra virgin olive oil competitions in Australia in 2012 shows that over 50% of olive oils entered in the Australian Olive Oil Association National Competition were awarded the highest medal scores across all the competitions analysed. In two cases, an oil entered in the Melbourne and Sydney Fine Food Shows did not receive a medal and received a Silver in the AOA competition.
The judging panels in the competitions are no longer published, making it difficult to assess experience and possible style preferences. In the past the Sydney and Melbourne competitions have included more judges from all sections of the food industry whereas the AOA panel has been drawn almost entirely from producers.


