Tuscany holds the top spot for olive oil on a national level, according to the L'Olio 2008 guide, which will be presented in Rome on March 31.
The publication, edited by the Italian Association of Olive Oil Sommeliers and Bibenda Editore, awarded the quality of Tuscan olive oil by giving a total of 16 gold medals. Sixteen producers received '5 drops', the highest recognition given by the prestigious guide.
Tuscany came in ahead of Sicily and Puglia, each of which received 10 recognitions for their oils.
The 600-page guide looks at a total of 403 companies and 2,000 olive oils. The evaluation method is not by star, but by drop - from 2 drops for average quality to 5 drops for superior quality.
Winning Tuscan producers include 'Renzo Baldacchini' with their Olio Extravergine di Oliva Lucca 2007, 'Belvedere', 'Castello di Ama' and 'Fonterutoli', 'Fattoria di Casamora' (awarded for both the Olio Extravergine di Oliva Monocultivar Leccino Supremum 2007 and the Moraiolo Regale Denocciolato 2007), 'Col d'Orcia', Fattorie di 'Fubbiano', 'Poggiopiano Galardi', 'Le Sorgenti' and finally 'Il Violone', 'Franci', 'Felsina', 'Marchesi De'Frescobaldi', 'Il Silene' and 'La Maritana'.
