News Release

Tasting the World’s Leading Olive Oils

Winners of leading extra virgin olive oil competitions around the world will be presented for tasting at the Extra Virgin Olive Oil Savantes programme in Spain and Italy in 2008.

Founded in Australia in 2001, the annual Savantes programme conducts tutored tastings of olive oils and discusses the culinary uses and markets for this growing commodity.

Since the programme started those with an interest in the olive industry as producers, processors, distributors, retailers and consumers have travelled from all continents to participate.

In order to minimise regional bias the leading presenters of the tasting programme are recognised independent experts in the commercial uses of olive oil.

In contrast with many technical olive oil classification training programmes, the emphasis is on the commercial differentiation, taste and culinary uses of extra virgin olive oils.

The 2008 programme will be led by internationally recognised culinary and olive oil expert Judy Ridgway. Author of ‘Best Olive Oil Buys Round the World’ and many cook books and travel articles, Judy travels the world keeping up to date with taste and production trends.

To give a regional perspective in each of the locations in 2008, Sevilla in Spain and Modena in Italy, local experts will present some sessions. Sevilla is reputed to serve the best tapas in Spain and Modena is in Emilia-Romagna, the home of parma ham, parmesan cheese and aged balsamic vinegar. Both are steeped in the tradition and culture of olive oil.

In launching the programme for 2008, founder of Savantes, producer, processor and olive oil trader Simon Field said that staging Savantes in Europe as well as Australia is an important step. ‘We are going to the heart of the olive oil industry so that participants from new producing and consuming countries can benefit from centuries of olive culture. We also have interest from the traditional olive oil trading and consuming countries who want to experience the products from new industries and expand their international networks.

For further information and booking go to www.savantes.com/savantes or contact Simon Field on +61 3 9387 9919

13 September 2008

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