Opera Olei

Opera Olei is the first example of a Consortium gathering a select group of producers of Extra Virgin Olive Oil. The set contains six single-variety oils, from six different regions of Italy, produced by six of the best and most respected producers in Italy. These producers apply the highest standards of quality to their production, from harvest to extraction, resulting in oil of the highest caliber: Agraria Riva del Garda – Trentino Alto Adige – Cultivar Casaliva Casaliva is the most important cultivar in the three regions overlooking Lake Garda. The oil obtained from the olive has a light medium fruity scent with elegant aromas of herbs and almonds. The flavor is slightly bitter and more pungent with extensive harmonious green notes. This oil will enhance the flavors of fish dishes as well as carpaccio, arugula or chicory salads and cooked vegetables, and is particularly outstanding on vegetarian lasagna or strangolapreti. Azienda Agraria Viola – Umbria – Cultivar Moraiolo Moraiolo is the queen cultivar in Umbria where it dominates the vast and beautiful hilly area. The small olives perfectly adapt to the stony soils characterizing the hills. The oil’s aroma expresses itself with clear notes of fruit and artichoke hearts. Its flavor is bitter and pungent with a clean and intense fruity taste. It is ideal for enhancing the flavors of legume soups and vegetable salads, and is extraordinary on grilled meats. Olearia Sangiorgio – Calabria – Cultivar Ottobratica Ottobratica is a widespread cultivar in the area of Olearia Sangiorgio. The oil produced from this olive has a delicate fruity aroma with hints of fresh grass and thistle. The flavor is well-balanced with moderate bitterness and pungency and a sweet almond finish. In the kitchen it enhances steamed shellfish, boiled fish and grilled white meat, and makes the perfect mayonnaise. Frantoi Cutrera – Sicilia – Cultivar Tonda Iblea Tonda Iblea is a multi-purpose variety that is used to produce both oil and table olives. The oil produced from this olive has a moderately intense fruity flavor with exuberant hints of tomato leaf, artichoke, freshly-cut grass and aromatic herbs. The overall flavor is well-structured with moderate bitterness and pungency. This oil is ideal with fish and grilled meats and is perfect for making tomato sauces. Azienda Agricola Quattrociocchi – Lazio – Cultivar Itrana Itrana, also known as the olive from Gaeta, is a multi-purpose variety as it can be used to produce both oil and table olives. The oil from Itrana olives is elegant on the nose with delicate scents of herbs, tomato leaf and fresh almond, and has a pleasantly pungent and slightly bitter taste. The oil is perfect with fish dishes and grilled vegetables, and is particularly fabulous on grilled porcini mushrooms. Frantoio Franci – Toscana – Cultivar Frantoio Frantoio, the most widespread cultivar in Central Italy, is considered the symbol of Italian olive growing throughout the world. Frantoio olive oils are characterized by elegance and balance, with hints of fruit and artichoke leaf. The flavor is characterized by a bitter and pungent taste, followed by slightly herbaceous sensations and a finish of fresh almonds. This oil is idea with minced raw meat and tuna fish, and is absolutely terrific with vanilla ice cream.