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<pre>The European regional names (or at least the better ones) provide a
more sensible alternative to medals. Not only do medals suffer from the
"sample of one" problem but the whole concept is fundamentally flawed.
The ultimate choice of the "best" oil or wine or whatever is personal.
Having attended tasting sessions for wine in France I have found that
working from the other end is much sounder. The better regional names
eliminate from the bottom rather that rewarding the best. I found that
30 or 40 winemakers all agreed on the bad wines that should be
eliminated from the regional name while opinions were split on the
best. From the consumers point of view eliminating the bad oils makes
more sense that awarding medals at obscure shows or competitions.

Cheers Brian Chatterton
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<pre>I must agree with Brian!

However, with new cultivars, cultural practices and production methods
being introduced into traditional areas, DO (Designation of Origin) has
become less accurate in predicting the character of an oil. And could
actually predjudice those that strive for major improvements in
traditionally mediocre production areas. But, generally speaking, DO
status is far more meaningful than winning a medal.

In the EC producer countries, oil production is still extremely
traditional and conservative, and generally everyone does things in the
same way as the neighbour's great-great-grandfather used to do. So
quality and character of oil has been very uniform in these specific
DOs. With new high- and superintensive plantations of Arbequina,
Arbosana, Koroneiki, etc. appearing in the very traditional DOs of
central and Southern Spain, these new entrants are producing far
superior oils to the nauseatingly heavy over-ripe Piqual and Hojiblanco
oils of the area.

For a summary of the 9 protected DOs in Spain, check out
http://www.asoliva.com/ingles/aceite...l/denomina.htm

Cheers,

Guido Costa
Paarl
South Africa
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<pre>> The European regional names (or at least the better ones) provide a
> more sensible alternative to medals. Not only do medals suffer from the
> "sample of one" problem but the whole concept is fundamentally flawed.
> The ultimate choice of the "best" oil or wine or whatever is personal.
> Having attended tasting sessions for wine in France I have found that
> working from the other end is much sounder. The better regional names
> eliminate from the bottom rather that rewarding the best. I found that
> 30 or 40 winemakers all agreed on the bad wines that should be
> eliminated from the regional name while opinions were split on the
> best. From the consumers point of view eliminating the bad oils makes
> more sense that awarding medals at obscure shows or competitions.
>
> Cheers Brian Chatterton

Sorry Brian, but I don't quite understand this concept. I grow and produce
my oil in the Hunter Valley and label it as "Hunter Valley". Do you mean
that under your system, if a group of "qualified? self-appointed? industry?"
judges thought my oil was sub-standard I would be banned from using the
words "Hunter Valley" on the label?

Regards,

Mike Wilson.
Hunter Valley, NSW.
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