The prestigious Mario Solinas Quality Award is an annual accolade bestowed upon the finest extra virgin olive oils by the International Olive Council (IOC) and is set to venture into new territory in 2024. This year, the competition will journey to Uruguay, marking a special edition exclusively dedicated to oils originating from the Southern Hemisphere.
This groundbreaking initiative promises to unveil exceptional Extra Virgin Olive Oils sourced from countries within the olive-rich landscapes of the Southern Hemisphere. The new award opens doors for producers from this region to showcase their expertise and elevate the global standard of olive oil quality.
Established in the 2000-2001 crop year, the Mario Solinas Quality Award pays homage to the legacy of Italian professor Mario Solinas, a pioneering advocate for the sensory analysis of Virgin Olive Oil. The competition’s core objective is to recognise oils with exceptional sensory attributes across various categories outlined in the competition guidelines. Beyond honoring producers’ meticulous efforts, the competition serves as a pivotal benchmark in the olive industry, inspiring producers to strive for unparalleled quality.
Acknowledging the disparate olive harvesting seasons between hemispheres, Uruguay proposed a tailored edition of the Mario Solinas Quality Award aligned with the Southern Hemisphere’s harvest timing. This proposal underwent a thorough evaluation by IOC experts in organoleptic assessment and received approval from the Organisation’s Council of Members during its 118th session in November 2023. Consequently, the 2024 edition will unfold in Uruguay, with a suggestion to alternate future editions between Uruguay and Argentina.
This strategic decision underscores the IOC’s unwavering commitment to promoting and fortifying the global excellence and quality standards of olive oils. It also underscores the IOC’s dedication to fostering international collaboration, disseminating best practices, and acknowledging outstanding producers worldwide.
Moreover, this initiative aims to forge stronger ties between the IOC and Southern Hemisphere nations including Australia, with the aspiration of encouraging additional countries in this region to join the international organisation.
HOW TO ENTER
For interested participants, the rules governing the inaugural edition of the Mario Solinas Quality Award for the Southern Hemisphere are accessible in English, French, and Spanish.
To partake in the 2024 competition, samples for the crop year and requisite documentation must be submitted by August 15, 2024, to the following address: Laboratorio Tecnológico del Uruguay – Sede Central – Av. Italia 6201, 11500 Montevideo, Uruguay.
DOWNLOAD: Rules & Entry Form for Mario Solinas Southern Hemisphere Edition
COMPETITION AIM
The aim of organising this competition is to encourage individual producers, producer associations and packers in the producing countries to market extra virgin olive oils displaying harmonious organoleptic characteristics and to encourage consumers to recognise and appreciate the sensory attributes of such oils.
By lending his name to this Award which goes to the top-scoring oils, the IOC wishes to pay tribute to the late Mario Solinas who did so much in the field of research, working closely with the IOC to standardise quality criteria. Companies from IOC member and non-member countries can equally participate.
Photo credit: International Olive Council