The producer of olives and olive oil from Mendoza, Argentina, Olivícola Laur, located in the Maipú region, returns to the top 1 of the EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oils) Word Ranking, for the second consecutive year.
Founded in 1889, and belonging to the Millán family (owner of Átomo Supermercados, Bodega Los Toneles), Laur won the top prize for the second consecutive year, ahead of countries such as Spain, Portugal, Turkey, Italy and Tunisia.
The company was a pioneer not only in planting olive trees in Mendoza, but also in the olive oil industry. In 2021, it consolidated itself as number one in the World Olive Oil Ranking.
This historic milestone for the sector was repeated in the new edition of the EVOO Word Ranking 2022, announced on December 28, placing Laur in the Top 100 of the best olive oil producers in the world (Brazil has four producers on the list of the 100 names: Prosperato, 22nd; Estância das Oliveiras, 59th; Lagar Agroindústria, 65th; Verde Louro, 91st).
The EVOO World Ranking is a not-for-profit ranking that was created to promote the world’s most awarded extra virgin olive oils, with the aim of educating consumers. The aim is to award extra virgin olive oils that have participated in contests held throughout the year around the world, and recognized by EVOOWR.
The tests in these contests must be blind, carried out by specialized international juries. Every year, before the start of the competition calendar, the list of events that will be considered for the ranking is published. The tastings are classified by continent and country, the most important competition being the Mario Solinas Quality Award, promoted by the IOC (International Olive Council). Winners are also ranked by number of samples and participating countries.
Olivicola Laur, which produces more than 600 tons (about 1 million bottles of olive oil per year), including its brands Clásico Extra Virgin Orgânico, Blend de Terroir Cruz de Piedra Organic, Blend de Terroir Altos Limpios, Blend de Terroir Medrano, Gran Mendoza Premium, Contraviento and Gran Laur, participated in 12 contests during 2022. The oils achieved a total of 134 awards, reaching a score of 7,041 points, which puts it well above second place, with 5,704 points.
The ranking has been carried out for about 13 years based on the WRW&S (World Ranking Wine & Spirit) classification system, created in 1997 by the WAWWJ (World Association of Journalists of Wine and the Spirit).
“It was another great joy that Mendoza oil gave us, in a season full of championships. We worked hard to maintain the number one position in the world that we achieved last year”, said Gabriel Guardia, general manager of Olivicola Laur, who is a winemaker, olive oil specialist and master, trained in Modena in the production of traditional balsamic vinegar.
“We didn’t have high hopes due to the level of competition. We weren’t the favorites for the feat to be repeated, but clearly the work, effort and product achieved put Laur in first place again. We are pleased to reaffirm this achievement,” he said.
This translates into an achievement not only for Mendoza, but for all of Latin America, which reaffirms its place in olive growing, among the large European companies. Olivicola Laur products are already exported to China, Japan, Germany, Canada, Switzerland, Brazil, Panama, Uruguay, Paraguay, Chile, Costa Rica, Guadalupe Island (Caribbean) and the United States.
“I am very proud to be part of it and it does not surprise me that it is once again in first place, because it responds to cutting-edge standards in all its processes”, said renowned chef Christophe Krywonis, Brand Ambassador for 2022.
“Sometimes , we do not appreciate what a contest of these dimensions means, as it is not one person who scores, but a specialized jury made up of several members who focus on all the details of the product. Laur speaks for herself, winning over the jury and the consumer with her best performance,” he says.
And he also points out that “olive growers Laur and Acetaia Millán show that in Argentina there are companies that do things very well, that have a high quality product that stands out internationally.”
Check out the top 10 in the world:
- Olive Farm Laur – Argentina
- Galo Mundial – Portugal
- Almazaras de la Subbetica – Spain
- Nova Vera Gida – Turkey
- Adonis Olive Oil – Tunes
- Mediterre Eroffod SA – Greece
- Domecico Manca SPA – Italy
- Aceites Oro Bailen Galgon – Spain
- Hellenic Agriculture – Greece
- Melissa Kikizas Terra Creta – Greece
With information from Forbes