Italy's Only Extravirgin Olive Oil Specialized Fair

Trieste, 2 - 5 March 2012
The Best Italian Extravirgin Olive Oil at Olio Capitale
Promising turnout prospects and expanded exhibition area at the 6th edition
More than just an exhibition: events, oil tasting, business meetings and the Olio Capitale olive oil competition

Where are the best olive oils to be found? Discover them on show in Trieste (Italy) from 2 to 5 March, ready to be tasted and - why not - also purchased at Olio Capitale - 6th top quality extra virgin olive oil expo, the only fair entirely dedicated to extravirgin olive oil. This specialized and ever-growing event showcases the top olive oil production from Italy and other countries. The Fair's 6th edition is once again being organized by Aries, a special agency set up by the Trieste Chamber of Commerce.

Events for the general public include the Olio Capitale School of Cuisine and Guided Tastings at the Oil Bar; in addition the programme offers business-dedicated events and b2b meetings between exhibitors and buyers, the acclaimed Olio Capitale Competition, plus themed discussions on industry trends. This winning mix has contributed to the steady increase in number of visitors and exhibitors year on year, as reflected in the further expansion of the exhibition area, now comprising four halls and over 200 exhibitors.

Olio Capitale has shrewdly decided to focus on extravirgin olive oil alone, unlike similar fairs displaying a whole variety of products from the food industry. Special attention has been paid to quality, in the strong conviction that this is the determining factor in today's period of economic downturn. "We firmly believe that quality and distinctiveness are strategic assets that can help relaunch olive-growing", says Antonio Paoletti, President of the Trieste Chamber of Commerce; "To me it's clear that the 6th edition of Olio Capitale is going to be even more diversified, exciting and fruitful."

All Italian olive-growing regions will be present, with both large and niche producers from Abruzzo, Apulia, Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Emilia Romagna, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Lazio, Liguria, Lombardy, Marche, Molise, Sardinia, Sicily, Trentino Alto Adige, Tuscany, Umbria, Veneto. And alongside the best Italian oil producers there will be foreign producers, in particular from nearby Slovenia and Croatia.

Parallel to the exhibition, short tasting classes are to be held at the familiar Oil Bar under the guidance of professional tasters instructing visitors in how to discern the sensory distinctive characteristics of the oils being presented (about 100 different labels), and suggesting the best olive oil/food matches.

The Olio Capitale School of Cuisine boasts the involvement of top-flight chefs who are outstanding interpreters of Italian cuisine; they will be giving cooking classes to the public, preparing a number of modern and traditional dishes, as well as a number from times gone by.

The top event of this three-day salon is the Olio Capitale Competition, a contest that is truly one of its kind in Italy; it is being staged once again this year in view of its popularity in past editions. After pre-selection of the entries by a professional panel, the oils are assessed by three different juries representing three different groups: professional tasters, professional users (chefs and restaurateurs), and consumers. Consumers may apply to become jury members by contacting the staff at the Fair or submitting their application by e-mail to info@oliocapitale.it. The idea is to ensure full representation of the olive oil market, reflecting the different approaches and tastes of these three types of olive oil user. The assessment of the three different juries will be decisive in choosing the winners of the following oil categories: light, medium and intense flavour, with identification in each case of the very best typical and quality extravirgin olive oils from the Mediterranean area.

Pre-registration for discounted entrance tickets open online: www.oliocapitale.it/register.html
A list of partner hotels with special discounts can be obtained on request from the secretariat: info@oliocapitale.it
For more information see: www.oliocapitale.it.