In wine-soaked Argentina, EVOO is beginning to make its mark.
There’s a saying that’s touted in the wine-loving regions of Argentina. “If you don’t drink wine, then why did you come?” Increasingly, the local olive oil industry has been responding with a new answer: “For the EVOO!”
There’s been a concerted effort in recent years to support the production and consumption of extra-virgin olive oil in the region, ranging from a government-sponsored marketing campaign with its banner phrase “Mendoza Oliva Bien” to The Olive Road, a newly minted tourist attraction where visitors can experience guided tours and tastings.
See Also:The best olive oils from Argentina for 2017
These efforts have been paying off on both a local and international level. For visitors, EVOO tastings and tourism make for a nice break from the otherwise endless consumption of Malbec. And the country produces some of world’s best olive oils: the brand Olivares La Reconquista won a Best in Class Award at the New York International Olive Oil Competition, and Trilogia won a Silver Award.
In Mendoza, whose population is largely comprised of Italian and Spanish descendants, olives and olive oil have long had a place. Olive trees were planted alongside the vineyards in accordance with Mediterranean tradition. This double planting also allowed local farmers to hedge their bets. If it was a bad year for grapes, there was always plan B: the olive crop.
But with EVOO coming into its own in the region, some former vineyards have turned their focus to olives entirely, as was the case with the Maguay company. “We worked with both crops until 1980,” explained Florencia Giol, one of three brothers who run the Mendoza-based company. Since then, Maguay has begun to produce its own EVOO and offer their final products to consumers and tourists.
María Lourdes Toujas, a food scientist, and consultant for olive oil companies in Argentina, Chile and Uruguay, also noted that even the vineyards focused on high-end wines are venturing into premium olive oil production to round out their regional offerings.
“It’s very important to support the primary producer,” Lourdes Toujas said. “Without them, it’s not possible to obtain oils of this quality and quantity. Supporting this stage of the production chain is fundamental to be competitive in international markets.”
Today, Mendoza is home to approximately 16,500 planted hectares and 25 mills. The varieties used in Mendoza for EVOO production are mainly Acauco, an Argentine olive, as well as Arbequina. Frantoio, Coratina, Farga and Picual are also used, although to a lesser extent. Extra virgin olive oils currently represent 90 percent of total production and enjoy a unique flavor profile thanks to the optimal growing climate.
As it continues to strive toward the production of premium EVOO and catch the attention of tourists, the olive oil industry and Mendoza Oliva Bien work to remind people of the health benefits of EVOO, a product already ingrained in the lives of its people. And for Mendocinos as well as tourists, buying local brands is getting easier by the day.
More articles on: Argentina, NYIOOC World, NYIOOC World 2017
Nov. 9, 2023
An Award-Winning Finish to A Fruitful Harvest in The Southern Cone
After bumper harvests in Chile, Argentina and Uruguay, producers demonstrated their quality with a combined 14 awards at the world’s largest olive oil quality contest.
Dec. 11, 2023
Small-Scale Farmers Celebrate Big-Time Success in Central California
Richard and Myrna Meisler have turned a passion project into one of California’s most-awarded extra virgin olive oils.
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.
Aug. 8, 2023
Judging Gets Underway in NYIOOC Southern Division
Registration remains open until the final results are released in September. Producers across the hemisphere await the results.
Jun. 10, 2024
French Producers Celebrate Award-Winning Finish to Bumper Harvest
While France produced 5,500 tons of olive oil in the 2023/24 crop year, farmers and millers in France earned 14 awards at the World Competition.
Jun. 3, 2024
Croatian Producers Share Secrets Behind Their Award-Winning Success
The small southeastern European country produced just 3,500 tons of olive oil in the 2023/24 crop year but earned 80 awards from 97 entries at the World Competition.
Sep. 20, 2023
Award-Winning Importer Recounts America's Evolving Olive Oil Culture
MillPress Imports co-founder Tim Balshi says quality is key in the competitive U.S. olive oil import market.
Jun. 12, 2024
How Resilience and Passion Drive a Boutique California Producer
In less than four years, the couple behind Chateau de Luz has overcome climate extremes, pests and labor challenges to craft world-class extra virgin olive oil.