2016 was another hard year for olive growers and oil producers in Tuscany. Not as catastrophic as the 2014, this past year had a fair number of issues with a lack of olives or infestation by a fly that lays its larvae in the young olives and renders them inedible.
In talking with friends and acquaintances who produce olives for oil, the areas hardest hit were northern and central Tuscany, while the areas in southern Tuscany along the coast, the Maremma and Bolgheri regions, fared better.
Luckily for us, that is exactly where Costco sources its olive oil that it sells as Toscana IGP! Most of their stores have the new olive oil in, so get it while it lasts.
Always remember when buying extra virgin olive oil from Italy: the bottle should have an official DOP or IGP seal on it, which comes from the local consortium. The grower, presser and bottler follow strict guidelines before they receive the DOP or IGP labels to put on the bottles. The year of harvest should also be printed on the label, most recent being most desired. It’s your guarantee of quality and authenticity!
In January I found a DOP from Sicily in Home Goods, so keep your eyes peeled in great import stores wherever you shop!
I am only now finding you and am interested in classes.
Hi Mary, Give us a call at the restaurant, we do classes every Tuesday night 6:30-9:30. 502-883-0211. Hope to see you there soon!