These are SA’s top olive oils 2021

South Africa’s olive oil industry has devoloped a fine reputation for quality – here is news of the winners of the 2021 SA Olive Awards that were announced recently at a gala function at Webersburg Wine Estate near Stellenbosch.

Saki Magoxo

2021-09-27 13:08:55

A premier fixture on the South African olive industry calendar, they acknowledge the commitment and the strive for excellence that characterises our local olive oil industry.

Following many months of hard work, which culminated in the autumn harvest, 46 South African olive oil producers submitted a total of 113 of their best Extra Virgin Olive Oils (EVOOs) to be judged.

All 113 EVOOs were rigorously and professionally assessed and judged during an extensive five-day blind tasting by professional taster and Panel Leader, Aldo Mazzini from Italy, and five local tasters and judges – Reni Hildenbrand, Jackie Loubser, Benedetta Lami, Marlene Loubser and Michelle Kruger.

Aldo Mazzini commented: “I can say that during the competition we found a good percentage of very high quality oils with complexity, harmony and character. These are oils that I like to compare to the great paintings of the Impressionists: EVOOs with great colours able to arouse emotions and colour the dishes of any table in the world”.

SA Olive Manager Vittoria Jooste commended EVOO producers for achieving the high standards of production that are reflected in the results achieved. Vittoria added that SA Olive’s Commitment to Compliance (CTC) scheme enables producers to benchmark their newly-harvested EVOOs within a quality framework that is modelled on international standards. Hence for consumers, the CTC seal is an assurance of the quality of local EVOO.

Behind the scenes:
Each olive oil entry was conscientiously explored and assessed for the complexities of aroma and flavour and the balance of fruity, bitter and pungent attributes, in the search for the very best of South African Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO).

The standard of South African olive oils is generally very high and compares well with the best EVOOs in the world; this makes an award received in this annual olive oil competition not only an accolade for the producer but also an assurance for consumers that they will be buying the best EVOO available in South Africa.

The ABSA Top 10 Awards will be taking place on the 15 October 2021. The qualifiers for the Absa Top 10 are selected from the ranks of the highest-scoring SA Olive Awards medal winners by a team of revered tasters.

SA Olive thanked Amenduni, MORI-TEM and Pieralisi for their contribution in furthering the South African olive oil industry through their sponsorship of the 2021 SA Olive Awards.

And the awards go to…

Delicate Category

Gold Awards for the Delicate Category:
Kleinbergskloof Estate Blend
Olive Boutique Frantoio
Willow Creek Nuy Valley EVOO

Silver Awards for the Delicate Category:
Cederberg Olives Frantoio
De Rustica Collection: Arbequina
De Rustica Estate Delicate
Kleinbergskloof Frantoio
Lapithos Pure
Lions Creek Arbequina EVOO
Mont Rouge Owners Reserve
Mount Ceder EVOO
Rio Largo Gold
Willow Creek Mission EVOO

Bronze Awards for the Delicate Category:
Boschendal Olive Oil
Het Bos Olives
Mardouw XXV Delicate
Oakhurst Delicate
Vigne d’Or Blend

Silver Awards for the Medium Category:
Babylonstoren EVOO Coratina
De Hut EVOO Frantoio
Duikersdrift Frantoio
Duikersdrift Frantoio/Coratina Blend
Galenia Estate – Directors Blend
Galenia Estate – Premium Directors
Kadimah Olive Estate Artois Olive Oil LUD
Kleinbergskloof Family Reserve
Kleinood De Boerin
Kredouw Olive Estate Favolosa
Lions Creek Favolosa EVOO
Lions Creek Picual EVOO
Mont Rouge Assegaay Reserve
Mont Rouge Karoo Reserve
Morgenster Don Carlo
Namaqua Olives & Olive Oil EVOO
Nomu Brands EVOO
Oakhurst Special Reserve
Olyfberg Blend
Oudewerfskloof Olifantsbos
Oudewerfskloof Ouwerfskloof
PG Fruit EVOO
Porterville Andante Mezzo
Prince Albert Karoo Blend
Tokara Frantoio EVOO
Tokara Mission EVOO
Tokara Multi-varietal EVOO
Vigne d’Or Coratina
Wildekrans Keer Weer EVOO
Willow Creek Estate Blend EVOO
Willow Creek Faithful to Nature EVOO

Bronze Awards for the Medium Category:
Anysbos Olywe
Chaloner Mountain Oil EVOO
Het Vlock Casteel Vlok Blend
Kredouw Olive Estate Frantoio
Lions Creek Don Carlo EVOO
Namaqua Olives & Olive Oil EVOO Frantoio Limited Release
Olive Boutique Frantoio-Coratina
Olyfberg Leccino
Petra Olives Olive Oil
Riverbend EVOO Mission
The Greenleaf Olive Company Food Lovers
The Greenleaf Olive Company Spar Authentic
Zoetigheyd Farm Fresh

Intense Category

Gold Awards for the Intense Category:
De Rustica Collection: Coratina
De Rustica Estate Intense
Mardouw XXV Intense
Porterville Andante Forte
Rio Largo Premium
Willow Creek Directors Reserve EVOO

Silver Awards for the Intense Category:
De Hut EVOO Coratina
Mont Rouge 33° South
Olive Boutique Coratina-Leccino
The Greenleaf Olive Company Forage & Feast
Willow Creek Coratina EVOO
Willow Creek Frantoio EVOO

Bronze Awards for the Intense Category:
Marbrin Directors Reserve Intense EVOO
Oakhurst Intense
The Greenleaf Olive Company St Sebastian
Vigne d’Or Grande Reserve

Source: SA Olive

Courtesy of FoodStuff – full article here