729 oils are featured in the guide, which annually reviews the top 500 olive oil producers from 57 countries.
Ex tra virgin olive oil is a global phenomenon!
Rome will be the stage for the first stop of the international tour organized by Flos Olei. The grand tasting event, scheduled for December 15th at The Westin Excelsior Hotel, offers the perfect opportunity for the press, trade professionals, and the public to experience the best expressions of olive oil production from around the world and to attend the presentation of the latest edition of the guide. Curated by Marco Oreggia (a tasting expert and renowned agro-food author) and Laura Marinelli (a sector journalist), Flos Olei has become a key reference point, with a particular focus on discovering and promoting the excellence of this extraordinary product.
The hard work of an entire year enabled the panel of expert tasters to review the best 500 olive oil companies, awarding 729 oils and compiling what is now considered a true olive oil atlas. The international scope of the project is highlighted by the guide’s three language editions—Italian-English, Italian-Spanish, and Italian-Chinese—catering to the growing interest of overseas markets, and by its coverage of 57 countries across five continents. Despite this global reach, the Mediterranean remains, at least in terms of numbers, the heartland of this remarkable product, with 20 cartographies dedicated to Italy and 14 to Spain out of the 91 total.
“2025 will mark the 25th anniversary of our guide,” says Marco Oreggia, curator and publisher of Flos Olei. “The event on December 15th, the first stop of our international tour, will be a chance to share this significant milestone with the public, the loyal group of importers who have followed us for years, and all other key players in the sector. This dual focus on both consumers and trade professionals has been a hallmark of our guide since its inception.”
On the quality front, there is no doubt: 5 Italian companies and 3 Spanish ones are among the 9 total listed in the Olive Oil Hall of Fame, showcasing a level of continuity and stylistic consistency that few can match.
“The term ‘Hall of Fame’—as Laura Marinelli explains—originated in the world of sports and is reserved for those who have excelled over the years, achieving outstanding results. It refers to an elite group of true champions who consistently rank at the top of our classification.”
For those who work tirelessly to preserve and promote olive oil culture, the Special Awards return as usual. These four recognitions highlight achievements in fields ranging from promotion to the widespread dissemination of high-quality EVO oil. The “Importer of the Year” award goes to China’s Norenfoods Technology Co. Ltd; the “Restaurant of the Year” award to Trattoria da Aurelio in Livorno; the “Journalist of the Year” award to Spain’s Nieves Ortega of Olimerca; and the Cristina Tiliacos Special Award to FIOI – Italian Federation of Independent Olive Growers.
“A special thanks,” continues Oreggia, “goes to our entire team, always dedicated to pursuing absolute excellence. Over the years, they have turned our guide into one of the most authoritative references in the sector, celebrating not only the best products but also the women and men who devote their passion and professionalism to this extraordinary product.”
The event on Sunday, December 15th, will begin at 10:30 AM with a press conference to present the guide, followed by an awards ceremony for the ranked companies. The tasting sessions will open at 3:00 PM and continue until 9:00 PM, offering attendees a chance to embark on an intercontinental gastronomic journey. Additionally, there will be a food section featuring stands with premium products. As per tradition, Flos Olei will also involve notable figures from the culinary world: 11 renowned chefs will demonstrate the proper use of quality olive oil in cooking through live show-cooking sessions, blending the finest flavors with the best labels featured in the guide. The event will also include seminars for those interested in learning tasting techniques, emphasizing the importance of accessible yet professional education.
