Grand Cru is defined by the following characteristics:
Absolute guarantee on the products’ geographic place of origin. The Grand Cru are produced only using olives from top cultivations, of which the geographical location is declared and guaranteed. The critical determining factor is therefore that none of the olives used are imported either from abroad or other Italian regions. The Grand Cru are very high quality extra virgin olive oils with the guarantee to have a certain tupe of olive from a prestermined are of cultivation and is therefore particular in taste and flavour.
Absolute guarantee of the variety of olive used. Each Grand Cru is produced using a single variety of olives, accureately selected by place of origin, decree of reipness and integrity of the fruits. Also the methods of cultivation are monitored and controlled.
Absolute guarantee of the organoleptic characteristics. The Grand Cru have well defined characteristics in terms of taste, aroma and chemical-physical specifications, supported by laboratory analysis. The qualities remain stable over the years. The most prized of French riviera’s Grand Cru oils, 800 Reserve Blanc is made exclusively from a single olive variety: the Calletier.
In our Domaine, 800 years old trees, some of them milleenium, still bear fruit. Small purple/black olives, large trees, and limited quantities make for a challenging harvest. Harvested by hands, these olives produce little oil (5 kilos of olives produce less than 75ml), but what they do yield is extraordinary. The oil is yellow gold with a tint of dark green. Unctuous, suave, with flavors of grilled almond, light and subtle like the best French wine grand cru. This combination of qualities, although unusual, is the pure expression of the olive trees variety of the olive, lovingly harvested and pressed.
