Seville, Spain, 15-17 March

For 10 years, since 2001, the Savantes programme has successfully provided the international olive industry with an independent forum to evaluate some of the best olive oils produced worldwide, enhance tasting skill and develop productive networks and relationships.

Following the successful Savantes Olive Oil programmes in Europe during 2009 we will be holding the programme in 2010 in Seville from 15-17 March.

One of the features of the 2009 programmes was the increased business generated for participants with new brands of extra virgin olive oils being imported into Canada and the USA from participant’s groves in Europe.

Over 65 of the world’s leading olive oils from Spain, Greece, Italy, France, Israel, Jordan, Palestine, Morocco, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Chile and Portugal were tasted by participants from USA, United Kingdom, Spain, Greece, Canada and Australia.

In 2010 in Seville the programme will be led by Judy Ridgway and Simon Field, who assist participants in evaluating the olive oils in the context of world markets and culinary uses.

The olive oils to be tasted will exhibit the full range of styles and complexities available in world markets, setting a benchmark for the differentiation of extra virgin olive oils by producers and distributors seeking to establish or retain their brands on retail shelves.

Blending and taste exercises gave individuals the chance to evaluate their own tasting ability in a commercial setting.

Participants can also undertake a series of taste tests to achieve the status of Savante.

Judy Ridgway brings the group up to date with the international olive oil scene, covering innovative processing techniques which are bringing new styles in to the marketplace. Simon Field provides an overview of world markets, retail and wholesale prices, and internet marketing trends.

The following comments from two of the participants in 2009 sum up the dynamics of the group and the scope of the sessions.

‘(I) wanted to say how much I appreciated the seminar, the learning process, Judy's patience to introduce us to the amazing world of tasting, and the very helpful encouragement to think about the commercial aspect of our businesses, however small they might be!!’ and

‘It was a fantastic experience and safe environment to learn in... definitely due to Judy, Simon and the entire group.’

The Savantes programme and online booking is now available at www.savantes.com

For background on Judy Ridgway go to http://www.oliveoil.org.uk/

A list of olive oils tasted in 2009 is available at http://www.savantes.com

Simon Field
Olive Business

www.olivebusiness.com