Contest rules

Regulation

Organization, purpose, categories and participation conditions of the International Extra Virgin Olive Oil Contest.

Organization

As part of Wine, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Nutrition and Health, the International Olive Oil Contest in Latin America — OLIVINUS — is held in Mendoza, Argentina.

Purpose

OLIVINUS is an International Extra Virgin Olive Oil Contest organized to:

Award the best olive oils in the world.

Publicize the nutritional characteristics of olive oils to consumers.

Introduce the Latin American market to the exceptional olive oils produced in different countries around the world.

Promote transparency in the olive oil market in Latin America and worldwide.

Spread the fundamentals of the Mediterranean Diet.

Introduce the winners to importers, the press and the Latin American and world market.

Increase worldwide consumption of olive oil.

Structure

OLIVINUS International Contest: olive oils are tasted by panels of professional tasters, who evaluate and classify them according to the latest IOC (International Olive Council) regulations.

Guided tasting: an olive oil tasting commented on by the jury's leading specialists.

Press presentation: the winners are presented to the Argentine press and communicated to the world press, importers, distributors, wholesalers and retailers in Latin America and worldwide.

Who can participate

All extra virgin olive oils from any country in the world, bottled by the contest date or already on the commercial market, are admitted provided they meet the following requirements:

Chemical analysis of free fatty acids no older than 180 days.

To be considered extra virgin olive oil, the free fatty acid level must not exceed 0.8%, with a peroxide index below 20.

Producers, exporters, importers and olive oil traders may register.

How to register

Registration deadline: before August 1st.

Participants must submit, by any means, a registration form for each sample presented, together with proof of payment (payment slip, transfer or check — check only for Argentina), to Leonardo R. Castellani.

Oils whose registration fees have not been paid will not participate in the contest. Each participant receives a payment receipt by mail.

Registration costs: € 270 for the first sample and € 200 for each additional sample.