This Ligurian olive oil stands out. The Classico from Azienda Agricola Vittorio Cassini is extra special. The oil is light and delicate, unlike the sometimes harsh Tuscan oils. The oil has a delicate fragrance, intense yellow color, and nice taste, with almond overtones. Typical of the Ligurian oils, this oil would be great with fish, fresh vegetables, and salads.
The Cassini ancestors planted the original taggiasca olive trees high on the hillside, where the sub-tropical breezes and temperate climate provide ideal conditions for the delicate taggiasca cultivar.
For seven generations, the Cassini family produced olive oil for the family’s own consumption. The brothers Cassini, Vittorio and Enzo, moved to London where they worked with renowned chefs (such as Jamie Oliver). In 1999 Vittorio returned to Liguria to restore the olive orchard.
At the harvest, 60% of the crop is picked at the green stage and the remainder of the crop at the black- purple stage. The olives are pressed at the farm’s frantoio for within 12 hours of harvesting, using the continuous cycle system of extraction. Cassini oil is offered in limited supply, as the entire notable production is just 10,000 bottles per harvest.
The oil is golden green with notes of fresh almonds, white pepper and artichoke on the nose and palette, and a clean sweet buttery finish. This delicate oil lends well to fish and vegetable dishes, and of course, will create the quintessential pesto, a classic of the region.