Wine & Olive Oil: Similar, really?

Wine and olive oil have been partners in our civilization’s culinary journey since the ancient Rome. In fact, the best varieties of the two share the same farms & agriculture science culminating in similar experiences on a discerning palate. But before we get into the details, let’s lay out some ground rules. 

Are all olive oils like wine? No, it depends on the pedigree of the olive groves and methodology used in cultivation. Only the extra-virgin olive oil can be compared to a wine. An extra-virgin olive oil has free acidity level of less than 0.8 percent, zero taste flaws and made from cold-pressed olives at temperatures under 30°C, within 24 hours of harvesting.

So, the olive oils that are like wine, what are the similarities?

• The tastings of both consist of the same terminologies to describe aroma (mild, fruity, mellow), taste (nutty, peppery, rich, buttery, assertive) and appearance (clear, cloudy). The same tasting process is followed: a lot of swirling, smelling & slurping!

• Both contain antioxidant polyphenols, which are associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.

• Both are best stored in dark bottles in a cool, dark area away from direct light and heat.

But one is wine and the other is oil, how can they have any similarity? Well, the answer lies in the century-old farming practices followed in the Mediterranean region: both wine & olive oil are made from fruits (grapes & olives respectively), both have been sharing the same soil for ages and finally, both take on the characteristics of their similar soil, topography, and climate.
In other words, they are two different but similarly behaving crops grown on the same lands in similar fashion by the same people. Voila!
But wait, there exists one major difference between the two: Unlike wine, olive oil does not get better with age. It is suggested to use olive oil within 60 to 90 days after opening the bottle.

So, is there an olive oil in India that is like fine wine?

LA Organic, House of Mandara’s exclusive olive oil brand, is the only olive oil brand in India that is made with the same principles & in-depth knowledge of wine making. The products are carefully curated & monitored by none other than the famous Michel Rolland, one of the world’s most distinguished oenologist who is also a shareholder in LA Organic!

Try it to see the difference.