The
Region Called The Green Heart of Italy Brings Its Finest
Olive Oils to the Big Apple
NEW YORK, May 7
The central Italian region of Umbria
arrives in New York City today in the form of its long-standing
culinary traditions and its reputation for producing
some of Italy’s finest D.O.P. Extra-Virgin Olive
Oils.
“Umbria—Where Good Cooking
Is an Art” will present the oils this afternoon
to a select audience of food writers, chefs, restaurateurs
and importers gathered at Sirio Maccioni’s Le
Cirque restaurant. Renowned cookbook author and teacher
Julia della Croce will lead a tasting and discussion
with panelists Amelia Argenziano, Secretary of the organizing
committee of Ercole Olivario, Italy’s annual national
competition for producers of regional extra-virgin olive
oils and Chef Andrea Tiberi.
D.O.P., which stands for Protected
Denomination of Origin, is a designation, backed by
Italian and European Union laws, that is not merely
awarded but earned. Producers must adhere to the highest
standards of quality, from cultivation in the olive
groves through harvesting, pressing and bottling. Extra-Virgin
Oil DOP thus assures consumers of the maximum in quality,
food safety, and expression of the region in which it
was made.
The 10 DOP Umbria olive oils - 2 national
winners and 8 regional honorees—being presented
are the products of the Contessa Geltrude, C.U.FR.OL.,
Eugenio Ranchino, Giovanni Batta, Lungarotti, Mascio,
Monini, Montecorona, Noemio Bacci and Viola agricultural
estates. They represent Umbria’s five DOP five
sub-zones: the Colli di Assisi-Spoleto, the Colli Martani,
the Colli Amerini, the Colli del Trasimeno and the Colli
Orvietani. Some of the producers themselves will be
in attendance. “Umbria—Where Good Cooking
Is an Art is an especially appropriate title,”
said Aniello Musella, Executive Director for the USA,
of the Italian Trade Commission, “as the event
will conclude with a tasting of regional dishes using
DOP Umbria extra-virgin olive oil and made by Chef Andrea
Tiberi, a native of Umbria who lives in the United States
and is a partner in the Eatalian Style Corp., which
promotes authentic Italian cuisine and culture ”
“Umbria—Where Good Cooking Is an Art”
is organized by the Italian Trade Commission, New York,
in cooperation with Regione Umbria, Camera di Commercio
di Perugia and Centro Estero delle Camere di Commercio
dell’Umbria. |