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
By Émilie Guilhen
Copywriter and copy editor in Paris.
