Extra virgin olive oil benefits from specific European legislation that guarantees its authenticity and quality. Those whose traits are inseparable from their geographical origins are protected by the DOP and IGP labels (PDO and PGI in English), which certify the precise geographic origins of the product: in this case, Tuscany.
The production area of this oil corresponds to that delimited for Chianti Classico wine production: this covers the muncipalities of Castellina in Chianti, Gaiole in Chianti, Greve in Chianti, Radda in Chianti and parts of Barberino Val d’Elsa, Castelnuovo Berardenga, Poggibonsi, San Casciano in Val di Pesa and Tavarnelle Val di Pesa. The colour can range from deep green to a greeny-gold; the aromas are fruity and the taste slightly bitter and pungent.
In order to win its PGI certificate, Tuscan extra virgin olive oil must be produced wholly and solely within the region of Tuscany Region. That includes all phases of production from the cultivation of the olives, to the extraction of the oil, to the final packaging. The just-extracted oil is usually green in colour, but as time passes it tends towards yellow. Vegetable notes should be evident on the nose, and a bitter taste and a pungent sensation always present on the tongue.
This olive oil is produced within a well-defined geographical area covering the municipalities of the Lucchesia, Versilia and the Garfagnana, most notably: Capannori, Lucca, Montecarlo, Altopascio, Porcari, Villa Basilica, Camaiore, Massarosa, Viareggio, Forte dei Marmi, Pietrasanta, Seravezza e Stazzema, Bagni di Lucca, Borgo Mozzano, Pescaglia, Barga, Coreglia Antelminelli and Minucciano. This oil has a fruity, essentially sweet taste, but with a few bitter, piquant notes.
Different kinds of olives can be found in this oil: Frantoio, Correggiolo, Moraiolo e Leccino, provided that they grow in the hills of Siena, except the Chianti Classico wine production area. dedicated to oil production. Colour ranges from green to yellow, while the taste is lightly bitter and pungent.
Seggiano DOP Extra virgin olive oil consists of at least 85% of the Olivastra Seggianese cultivar, which must be grown in the olive groves of Arcidosso, Castel del Piano, Seggiano, Cinigiano, Santa Fiora, Roccalbegna, Semproniano or (part of) the municipality of Castell'Azzara. Its colour varies from green to gold, with notes of herbs and white fruits. Its colour is a slightly golden green, and aromas of fresh fruits mingle with herbaceous notes of artichokes and white fruits.
Download here the infographic Top Tuscan extra virgin olive oil.
