The International Exhibition of Quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil

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Sol d'Oro, the most important international competition dedicated to extra virgin olive oil, sees the return of the challenge between the best 100% Italian extra virgin olive oils and products from the rest of the world. The competition also sees an important innovation in the regulations. As of this edition, three top awards will be made in each of the three categories envisaged (delicate, average and intense fruit), to ensure even better emphasis on the growing quality of the increasing numbers of samples entered in the event from all over the world.

Entries for the Sol d'Oro Competition are open until 10 March 2009. Assessments for the 7th International Olive Oil Competition will take place 16 - 21 March 2009, while the award presentation ceremony is scheduled 2 April, on the inaugural day of Sol, the international exhibition of extra virgin and quality olive oil now celebrating its 15th edition.

Extra virgin olive oila may compete in one of the three categories envisaged: delicate fruity; medium fruity; intense fruity. The Jury comprises a tasting commission involving tasters from various technical panels and international experts. Sol d'Oro - the 1st Gold Prize in every category - is joined by Sol d'Argento (2nd Silver Prize) and Sol di Bronzo (3rd Bronze Prize). Special Mention diplomas will also be issued to the top 20 samples of extra virgin olive oil in any case achieving a score of at least 70/90.

The purpose of Sol d'Oro is to valorise the best olive oil production world-wide, promote such produce among consumers and operators, present extra virgin olive oils and their varieties based on geographical origin to the public at large and stimulate efforts by companies towards continual improvement of product quality. The Sol d'Oro international competition has become an essential marketing tool for "top quality" producers and a hallmark of quality held in high regard by operators and recognised by consumers.

Italy always dominated the previous editions of the competition. It was only in 2006 that Chile managed to take the top Award in the delicate fruit category. 2008 saw 226 olive oils entered from 15 Italian regions and 6 international countries: Australia, Chile, Croatia, Slovenia, Spain and South Africa. Despite not managing to challenge Italian supremacy, several olive oils from Chile, Spain and Croatia have nevertheless earned the prestigious Special Mention diplomas.

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