Lago di Garda Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil

The olive oils of the Lake Garda region of northern Italy are renowned for their elegant texture. The olives used for this oil come from 300-year old trees on the hilly eastern shore of the lake. The unique micro-climate of Lake Garda's eastern shore (Veneto) has a mild winter climate and balmy summers, ideal conditions for producing the area's gentle olive oils. It is the northernmost point of olive production in Europe. In "Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking" Marcella Hazan says, "The oils produced on the Veneto side of Lake Garda and on the hills north of Verona are probably Italy's finest, certainly its most elegant: sweetly fragrant, nutty, with a gossamer touch on the palate." Since the olive groves along the lake shore are very small, the various owners have formed a cooperative to press their olives. During harvest the neighbors gather together to pick the olives by hand. The olives are handled carefully and cold pressed within 12 hours to avoid bruising and acidity-causing fermentation. 1/2 liter (17 fl. oz.)