OlivitalyMed: Celebrating the Best of Extra Virgin Olive Oil in the Mediterranean

Official presentation of OlivitalyMed, the event dedicated to the best of Extra Virgin Olive Oil from the BelPaese and the entire Mediterranean basin, which, from Saturday 4 to Monday 6 May, will animate the suggestive spaces of Castello di Rocca Cilento. The presentation of the three-day program took place at Palazzo Santa Lucia, a building of great architectural value in the center of Naples and the seat of the regional government of Campania, and saw the participation of institutions, associations, press, and industry players. "Communicating extra virgin olive oil in all its aspects. This is our mission," states the Sgueglia family, organizers of the initiative, "and the goal of Olivitaly Med which positions itself as the reference event for the trade and enthusiasts, and at the same time, aimed at the general public. An event that operates on multiple fronts to communicate the properties, characteristics, and, more generally, the invaluable value of Extra Virgin Olive Oil for the territories and communities in Italy and beyond. This is precisely the added value of the event. Not by chance, the program perfectly integrates high-level masterclasses, high-profile conferences, and thematic focuses, without ever forgetting the pleasure of tasting, which unites and involves a large audience of enthusiasts." The public will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich and varied world of extra virgin olive oil through meetings ranging from the sensory aspect of EVO oil, to its health benefits, agronomic and landscape aspects, passing through the oil-tourism and oil-restoration binomial, with an interesting focus on the world of pizza and a meeting on the future prospects of extra virgin olive oil. And still, masterclasses: on Campania oils, the beating heart of the event, tastings of the Mediterranean olive oil expressions as well as an insight into EVO oils from Gargano. "The commitment of the Campania Region and the Department of Agriculture," emphasized Nicola Caputo, agriculture councilor of the Campania region, "is another step in the path of enhancing Campanian excellences. In this sense, extra virgin represents a reference product that always deserves more attention and a deepening that allows companies to propose the fruit of their work and consumers to understand the value of this extraordinary product not always valued as it deserves." But the tastings at OlivitalyMed do not end here: the public will indeed have the opportunity to experience a fascinating journey of tastings, which will see extra virgin meet the breads of tradition, patisserie, leavened products, and the world of Mixology with an exceptional drink list, celebrating the art of mixing. There will also be tastings with sea and land products to discover all the flavors of Cilento, homeland of extra virgin olive oil and a land that captivates both the palate and the gaze. Indeed, all activities will have as their setting the enchanting Castello di Rocca Cilento, one of the most suggestive locations in the area where extra virgin is at home and which, with its elegant halls and a breathtaking outdoor area, will make this weekend even more unforgettable. Among the most awaited moments, the one that will see maestro Peppe Vessicchio, among the most celebrated orchestra conductors in our country, as the protagonist, who during the press conference, through a video intervention, highlighted the close link between extra virgin olive oil and culture. A rich selection of Campanian companies, from the hinterland of Irpinia and Sannio, to the lush nature of Caserta and, of course, from the coast of Cilento; but OlivitalyMed also includes an interesting parade of labels from the most vocated terroirs of the Boot. To complete the lineup of exhibitors three companies from Greece and the emblematic communities from Portugal and Morocco, as well as institutional representatives of the Campania Region, Chamber of Commerce of Salerno, and sector associations, regional and national, such as Slow Food, Confagricoltura, Coldiretti Campania, Cia Campania, Copagiri, Feampa, National Association of Olive Oil Mills ANFO and Oleum (International Professional Association of Olive Oil Tasters).