Gourmet oil encompasses everything from the finest extra virgin olive oil to oils infused with herbs, fruit or flowers. It can be an oil that is used in the cooking process or as a finishing oil. Dipping oils are another kind of gourmet oil. The most widely known form of gourmet oils are made from olives. However, exquisite oils are also made from pumpkin seeds, avocados, and grape seeds.
All olive oils are not created equal! When an oil is labelled "extra virgin olive oil" this means that it is produced from the first cold pressing of the olives and the acidity is 1 % or less. These are the finest oils with the fruitiest flavors. Generally the darker the olive oil, the more intense the taste will be. Olives are a fruit, and the oil should be stored in a dark cool place so that it does not turn rancid.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil ~ from Apulia
origin: Italy
maker: Allegrini and Hazan
17 fl ounces ~ $27.95
This olive oil comes from a premier region in Italy - Apulia.
It is made from a single varietal - Ogliarola olives.
The flavor is considered smooth.
A & H Selctions is the brand name used by Guiliano Hazan and Marilisa Allegrini, who also founded a cooking school near Verona. This is the first offering from their new company.
Olio Verde Unfiltered Extra Virgin Olive Oil ~ 2010 Harvest
origin: Italy
maker: Gianfranco Becchina
16.9 fl ounces ~ $34.85
Best used as a finishing oil, this is a remarkable olive oil. It is strong, full flavored and unfiltered. Notes of fesh mown grass and fresh green olives. The color is a medium dense green.
The olive oil is a combination of olive varieties, including Nocellara del Bellice and Bianco Lila, all grown on the Becchina estate. The olives are picked during the white phase to capture a strong green flavor and equally intense green color.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil ~ from Chiusa del Monte Cupo Estate
origin: Italy
maker: Alberto Cipolloni
17 fl ounces ~ $39.95
This multi-varietal oil is made from 80% Moraiolo olives, 10% Frantoio olices and 10% Leccino and Maurino olives. Sweet and delicate in composition. Hints of bitter and spice in the flavor.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil ~ 2011 Harvest
origin: Italy
maker: Frescobaldi Laudemio
16.9 fl ounces ~ $41.95
Laudemio is considered a "type" or "classification" of extra virgin olive oil. Olive growers from Tuscany created this concept in 1986. It refers to a set of standards that participants must adhere to if they are to use this name. Each producer personalizes their version of Laudemio.
Frescobaldi Laudemio's are considered exceptional. They come from an estate in the hills of Chianti Ruffina.
The 2011 Harvest's are a blend of varietals: 80% Frantoio, 10% Moraiolo and 10% Leccino olives. They are fruity oils with a vibrant green color. There are hints of artichoke and pepper. The productions are extremely limited.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil ~ Corposo (full taste)
origin: Italy
maker: Frantoio di Montecroce
17 fl ounces ~ $26.50
Extra Virgin Olive Oil ~ Gentile (sweet taste)
origin: Italy
maker: Frantoio di Montecroce
17 fl ounces ~ $26.50
Extra Virgin Olive Oil ~ Black Label Garda Bresciano DOP
origin: Italy
maker: Frantoio di Montecroce
17 fl ounces ~ $44.95
The Ramanzini family is the producer of these fine extra virgin olive oils. They bottle under the name of Frantoio di Montecroce. All of their oils are a blend of varietals as they feel this produces a more balanced oil. Located on the south side of Lake Garda, in Desenzano, they use olives from their own land and some from surrounding lands. The olives they use are Leccino, Casaliva, Pendolino, Frantoio, Maurino, and Moraiolo.
The Corposo has notes of unripe olives, artichokes and green tomatoes. It is a full and flavorfull oil. Mostly from Frantoio, Maurino, Moraiolo, and Pendolino olives.
The Delicato is a bright green gold color and complex in aroma and taste. A hint of artichoke and herbs and celery. This tends toward the spicy side. Mostly from Leccino, Casaliva, Pendolino, and Frantoio olives. Ideal on grilled fish.
The Gentile variety has a rich taste with hints of herbs and vegetables. Mostly from Leccino, Casaliva, Pendolino, and Frantoio olives. Very low acidity, a tiny bit of spicy after taste - the perfect choice for fish.
Garda Bresciano DOP is mostly from Casaliva, Frantoio, Leccino and Pendolino olives. It has a fruity taste combined with bitter and spice. Many subtle notes on this elegant oil. Outstanding as a finishing oil for white flesh saltwater fish. Try this and experience the difference for yourself.
Unfiltered Extra Virgin Olive Oil
origin: Spain
maker: Miguel and Valentino
15.2 fl ounces ~ $21.50
This extra virgin olive oil is made from Arbequina olives, grown in Catalonia, Spain, which are known for their buttery and fruity flavor. This is delicate in overall flavor. Guaranteed to have a maximum acidity of 0.3%.
A lovely oil to use on fish. And, it comes in an attractive glass jug with a wax seal over the cork. This would be a terrific gift for a someone who is passionate about food and cooking.
Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
origin: Spain
maker: L'Estornell
25.3 fl ounces ~ $27.95
This organic oil is made by the Vea family in Catalonia, Spain and bottled under the name of L'Estornell. It is made from a single varietal - Arbequina olives.
The taste is sweet and nutty and delicate. Appropriate for use as a finishing oil and a dipping oil. They guarantee the acidity to be 0.5% and under.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
origin: Spain
maker: Tagornar
16.9 fl ounces ~ $14.50
Made from both Arbequina and Verdiell olives, this oil is sweet and fruity. This is produced on the Mas del Sennyor estate in northeast Spain.
Freezing winters and dry summers help to produce this marvelous Spanish extra virgin olive oil. Try some for yourself and experience the difference in taste a great olive oil can make.
Le Authentique Extra Virgin Olive Oil
origin: France
maker: Gerard Boyer
24 fl ounces ~ $75.95
This oil was created by Chef Gerard Boyer. It is considered his best oil and is referred to as a liquid gold elixir.
The beautiful packaging of an elegant bottle, a velevet wrap and a pouring spout make this a stunning presentation gift.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
origin: South Africa
maker: Morgenster Stellenbosch
16.9 fl ounces ~ $25.95
When an olive oil produced in South Africa receives accolades as the best blended olive oil in the world by the Italian Olive Oil Bible, then you know you have an extremely high quality product.
This extra virgin olive oil is made from a blend of Frantoio, Leccino, Coratina, and Favoloza olives. The olives are grown on the slopes of the Morgenster Estate in Somerset West, South Africa. The majority of the olives are hand picked. The oil is totally natural. There are no preservatives or additives. And the oil is not filtered or refined. This has a full body, slightly peppery taste.
Morgenster Stellenbosch is world renown for their wines, olive oils, and their estate restaurant. They also have a chef that typifies a salt chef! Craig Cormack, the chef at Sophia's at Morgenster, has created a unique dining experience. He holds dinners that pair salt and wine, and include a tasting of 6 salts.
Agrumato Lemon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
origin: Italy
maker: Ricci
7.04 fl ounces ~ $24.50
Citrus fruit and olives are ground together and then pressed together in a traditional stone mill. This process produces what is known as an "agrumato" - and it has a very different flavor than those of infused oils.
The is Agrumato Lemon and is is a delicate oil, balancing the flavor of olives and lemon zest. It is made by the Ricci family in Abruzzo, where they harvest the olives by hand. Truly perfect over grilled fish!
Dipping Oil ~ Extra Virgin Olive Oil with Caprese Herbs
origin: Italy
maker: Il Boschetto
8.4 fl ounces ~ $17.50
This oil is beautifully filled with Caprese Herbs, and includes garlic, basil and tomato. The oil is a gold green color.
Produced by Il Boschetto, in Tuscany, they strive to provide and excellent product and an equally pleasing presentation of the product. Appropriate of course as a dipping oil, this can also be used as a finishing oil.
Rosemary Infused Extra Virgin Olive Oil
origin: Spain
maker: Mas Portell
8.5 fl ounces ~ $13.95
The creation of this infused oil begins with the first cold pressing of extra virgin olive oil made from Arbequina olives grown in the Lleida province of Catalonia, Spain. Wild rosemary, grown in the same province, is then added to the EVOO.
This oil is perfect when paired with grilled fish; just brush the olive oil on the fish before grilling. Rachel Ray has an excellent recipe for red snapper that uses rosemary infused olive oil.
Pizzolio Infused Extra Virgin Olive Oil
origin: Spain
maker: Mas Portell
17 fl ounces ~ $13.75
Arbequina olives are harvested from the province of Lleida in Spain. The harvesting process is done by hand to ensure only the best olives are used in the production of these quality olive oils. This oil is the first extraction, and is naturally decanted and filtered.
This extra virgin olive oil is infused with rosemary, oregano, homegrown chilies and thinly sliced garlic. Use this oil for a perfect taste on your grilled fish or seafood. Toss it around on pasta - or even top off your homemade pizza with this marvelous creation.
Black Truffle Oil ~ Extra Virgin Olive Oil infused with Black Truffle
origin: Italy
maker: Ranieri
8.5 fl ounces ~ $8.25
This infused oil is made by the Ranieri family in Umbria. They start with the finest of extra virgin olive oils and infuse it with black truffles. If you have never tried truffle oil, now is the time!
White Truffle Oil ~ Extra Virgin Olive Oil infused with White Truffle
origin: Italy
maker: Ranieri
8.5 fl ounces ~ $8.25
The hills of Umbria, in Italy, are home to the Ranieri family where they specialize in fine condiments.
This one starts with fine extra virgin olive oil and it is then infused with white truffles. When used sparingly, this is an incredible flavor not to be missed!
Pumpkin Seed Oil
origin: Austria
maker: Cucina Viva
8.5 fl ounces ~ $24.95
This all starts with a specific variety of pumpkin seeds that are roasted and then pressed. Produced in Austria, this is a regional product, that has a nutty flavor and aroma. The color is a dark green. It can be used as a seasoning or a finishing oil.
Avocado Oil
origin: Chile
maker: TerraMater
8.5 fl ounces ~ $15.29
This is made from Chilean Hass avocados, and nothing else. It is extra virgin, meaning it is from the first cold extracted pressing.
Avocado oil has a high smoke point, of 255° C and no cholesterol. It has a slightly nutty, yet delicate flavor. A lovely product to use for sauteed seafood!
Grapeseed Oil
origin: France
maker: Huileries de Lapalisse
33 fl ounces ~ $15.80
This type of oil is a byproduct of wine making, so it makes perfect sense to find this offered from a French company. The oil has no aftertaste, a high smoke point, and is considered a very stable oil.
Grapeseed oil is high in vitamin E. It can be used as a cooking oil, and has a subtle buttery flavor.
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