The International Olive Council (IOC) recently presented the 14th edition of the Mario Solinas Quality Awards for extra virgin olive oils.
Named after the late professor Mario Solinas of Italy, the awards recognize extra virgin olive oils with the best organoleptic characteristics in four categories: intense, medium and mild green fruitiness and ripe fruitiness. 138 oils competed for this year’s awards representing 12 countries: Algeria (1), Chile (2), Germany (1), Greece (6), Iran (2), Israel (1), Italy (2), Portugal (38), Spain (75), Tunisia (6), Turkey (3) and Uruguay (1).
Producers from Spain and Portugal swept the first, second and third prizes in all four categories. First prizes went to Finca La Torre of Spain (intense green fruitiness); Casa Agrícola Roboredo Madeira of Portugal (medium green fruitiness); Sociedade Agrícola Vale de Ouro of Portugal (mild green fruitiness); and Hacienda Queiles of Spain (ripe fruitiness).
Spain had fared well in previous competitions, taking home three first prizes in both 2012 and 2013. In 2013 Spanish producers took home all but one of the nine awards. Italian producers continue to largely stay away from the competition.
The Mario Solinas Quality Awards were presented at the 22nd extraordinary session of the IOC Council of Members in Madrid. During his opening speech, IOC Executive Director Jean-Louis Barjol announced some important changes regarding the competition: first, that next year will feature two editions of the Mario Solinas awards in order to facilitate participation from producers in the Southern Hemisphere; and second, that the next awards ceremony will be held at the Summer Fancy Food Show in New York City in July 2015.
Below is the complete list of winners from the IOC.
First prize
Intense green fruitiness: Finca La Torre — Finca la Reja, S.L. — Boadilla (Málaga) — Spain
Medium green fruitiness: Casa Agrícola Roboredo Madeira, S.A. — CARM — Almendra — Portugal
Mild green fruitiness: Sociedade Agrícola Vale de Ouro, S.A. — Ferreira de Alentejo — Portugal
Ripe fruitiness: Hacienda Queiles, S.L. — Monteagudo (Navarra) — Spain
Second prize
Intense green fruitiness: Aceites Oro Bailén — Galgón 99, S.L. — Villanueva de la Reina (Jaén) — Spain
Medium green fruitiness: Gallo Worldwide — Lisboa — Portugal
Mild green fruitiness: Elosua Portugal, S.A. — Azambuja — Portugal
Ripe fruitiness: Olivos Naturales, S.L. — Madrid — Spain
Third prize
Intense green fruitiness: Explotaciones Melgarejo, C.B. — Pegalajar (Jaén) — Spain
Medium green fruitiness: S.C.A. Ntra. Sra. de la Fuensanta de Oleoestepa — Corcoya (Sevilla) — Spain
Mild green ruitiness: Cooperativa de Olivicultores de Valpaços, C.R.L. — Valpaços — Portugal
Related Articles
May. 16, 2024
U.S. Olive Oil Producers Achieve Record-Breaking Success at World Competition
Olive oil producers from five states combined to earn 95 awards, exceeding the previous record of 94 set in 2022.
Apr. 16, 2024
Small Producers, Oleotourism Take Center Stage at Ercole Olivario
The winners of the main competition will participate in the Shelf Life Monitoring Project, which will help improve best practices for producers and consumers.
May. 14, 2024
Northern Hemisphere's Best Extra Virgin Olive Oils Revealed
Farmers, millers and bottlers overcame another unprecedented year of climatic and economic challenges to earn 584 awards at the 2024 NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition.
Jul. 7, 2024
Portuguese Producers Highlight Quality as the Cornerstone of Promotional Efforts
After achieving their second-biggest harvest ever, Portuguese producers celebrated impressive results at the World Olive Oil Competition.
May. 13, 2024
Italian Producers Reveal Their Winning Strategies
Italian farmers and millers combined to earn 147 awards at the 2024 NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition, more than any other country.
Dec. 7, 2023
Celebrating South America's Historic Olive Trees
The organization Sudoliva documents and preserves historic olive trees which tell the story of the European colonization of Latin America.
May. 28, 2024
East Asian Producers Show Award-Winning Quality on World Stage
Producers from China and Japan combined to earn ten awards at the 2024 World Olive Oil Competition.
Aug. 26, 2024
First-Time Winners Describe Perks of World Competition Awards
Access to global markets, regional promotion and motivation to keep improving are some benefits described by first-time NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition winners.