The extra virgin olive oil from Catalonia is celebrating this week. Next December 13, the municipality of La Fatarella hosts the Nit de Gala de l'Oli d'Oliva Verge Extra de Catalunya to award up to 8 prizes to Catalan oil productions. These awards aim to recognize the qualities of the best virgin olive oils produced in Catalonia and select the most outstanding ones taking into account their sensory characteristics and other elements reflected in the categories of each award.
The extra virgin olive oil night of Catalonia is organized with the purpose not only of recognizing genuinely Catalan oil productions, but also aims for Catalan society to know the product and thus contribute to the promotion and commercialization of Catalan olive oil. The celebration of these awards is part of one of the commitments assumed by the Government of the Generalitat within the Pla d'Acció de l'Oli d'Oliva 2024-2026 to support the sector. In addition, this plan also contemplates other actions, such as the restructuring of the sector towards olive oil tourism and a sustainable production system.
To be able to award the prizes, a prior collection of samples is made through a specialized company that has the task of visiting the producer opting for the prize to extract a sample from the deposits so that the jury can carry out its task of evaluating each of the award modalities before the celebration of the gala.
Award Categories
The award consists of eight categories. Firstly, the award for extra virgin olive oils from large producers, from intense green fruity to ripe fruity, including other modalities; secondly, the award for virgin olive oils from small producers, with the same modalities as the previous one; thirdly, organic olive oils, from which the five best from Catalonia will emerge; fourthly, monovarietal oils, from which the best oil of this modality will emerge; fifthly, the award for the three best oils produced in a project for the recovery of native varieties; sixthly, the award for the best pairing, culinary combination and gastronomic versatility; seventhly, the three awards for the best packaging; and finally the most important award: to the ten best oils of Catalonia this year 2024, which will enjoy this recognition throughout the year 2025.
Two elements stand out from this year's edition: firstly, the high participation of organic oils and, secondly, that 23 varieties from large and small producers from all over Catalonia have been submitted.