If anyone has forgotten that France is a Mediterranean country, we recommend a tour of the Provence oil mills. Enjoy the many and varied tastings on offer, from the raised terraces of Manosque to the silvery green valleys of Baux-de-Provence.
Name: olive oil
Origin: ancient
Close relatives: the Mediterranean trilogy of wheat, vines and olive trees
When to go: harvest is from October to February depending on the region
Strength: the variety, from the herbal fruity green to fruity black with a hint of cocoa
Weakness: scarcity
Signs of excellence:
- an opaque bottle to protect it from light
- an Appellation d’Origine Protégée (AOP) (Protected Designation of Origin - PDO)
- the name of a producer or mill-owner on the label
- a wonderful intense aftertaste indicating the presence of antioxidants