In France, for an olive oil to be classified “extra virgin”, it must meet certain quality standards. These standards are defined by the International Organization of Vine and Wine (HIV) and are applied by the European Union (UE).
Here are the main standards for an olive oil to be classified “extra virgin” in France :
- It must be obtained exclusively by mechanical methods., without the use of chemical solvents or refining processes.
- It must be produced from healthy and quality olives, no major flaws.
- It must have an acidity level below 0,8 %, measured in oleic acid.
- It must have a typical taste and aroma of olive oil, no major flaws.
- It must be analyzed and certified by an independent body approved by the EU.
It is important to note that these standards are valid for all olive oils classified “extra virgin” in the EU, and not only in France.
AOPs meeting the standard “Extra Virgin”
There are several Protected Designations of Origin (AOP) in France that meet the quality standards to be classified “extra virgin”. Here are some examples of French PDOs for olive oil :
- AOP Olive Oil from Haute-Provence : produced in the Haute-Provence region, in the south-east of France, this olive oil is obtained from several varieties of olives, including the tench, Bouteillan and Picholine. It has a fruity and slightly spicy taste, with aromas of olive leaf and hazelnut.
- PDO Olive Oil from Pays d’Oc : produced in the Languedoc-Roussillon region, in the south of France, this olive oil is obtained from several varieties of olives, including Bouteillan, the Picholine and the Blanquette. It has a fruity and slightly spicy taste, with aromas of olive leaf and hazelnut.
- PDO Olive Oil from Nyons : produced in the Drôme region, in the south-east of France, this olive oil is obtained from the Tanche olive variety. It has a fruity and slightly spicy taste, with aromas of hazelnut and olive leaf.
It is important to note that this list is not exhaustive and that there are other PDOs for olive oil in France. These PDOs guarantee a superior quality of olive oil, by ensuring in particular that the olives used are grown in a specific region and according to strict production methods.
The PDOs of Provence
In Provence, there are several Protected Designations of Origin (AOP) for olive oil that meet the quality standards to be classified “extra virgin”. Here are some examples of AOP for olive oil in Provence :
- AOP Olive Oil from Haute-Provence : produced in the Haute-Provence region, in the south-east of France, this olive oil is obtained from several varieties of olives, including the tench, Bouteillan and Picholine. It has a fruity and slightly spicy taste, with aromas of olive leaf and hazelnut.
- PDO Olive Oil from Provence : produced in the region of Provence, in the south-east of France, this olive oil is obtained from several varieties of olives, including the tench, Bouteillan and Picholine. It has a fruity and slightly spicy taste, with aromas of olive leaf and hazelnut.
- PDO Olive Oil from Bouches-du-Rhône : produced in the Bouches-du-Rhône region, in the south of France, this olive oil is obtained from the Picholine olive variety. It has a fruity and slightly spicy taste, with aromas of olive leaf and hazelnut.
It is important to note that this list is not exhaustive and that there are other PDOs for olive oil in Provence. These PDOs guarantee a superior quality of olive oil, by ensuring in particular that the olives used are grown in a specific region and according to strict production methods.