Here we are…
It was a huge effort, six months of tastings, reassessments, checks and commitment of a Panel that finally got the professional recognition of Mipaaf
At the end of the selection, the Optimus Panel met ;-), six Panel Leaders of proven worldwide experience to taste and discuss the top ranked samples. We checked the quality over time (some samples were tasted in November), some had deteriorated, others had evolved, perhaps losing excessive edges. And the ranking has been revised and corrected.
The quality level of the oils of the Leone d’Oro was high, the number of samples arrived 225 for a total of more than 500 tastings.
I think no one can question the objective enthusiasm and professionalism that have characterized the Leone d’Oro for three years, I am personally learning a lot, especially from my mistakes and constructive criticism (or suggestions ;-) of professionals who work with me . Sensory analysis is a method, and making “objective” subjective perceptions is a science that requires a lot of training and certainly has a margin of error that I always ask to consider (and forgive).
This is the final list of the finalists of the seven categories
Each category will have only 2 ex-aequo gold medals because there is not one best oil in the world, but there are oils that are so exciting that they must be communicated in their diversity. But only two, so as not to lose the desire of the others, who maybe on the podium are not leaps for a whisker, or who have ample room for improvement, to continue in the search for perfection and to participate again next year ;-)
The winners will be announced during the May 10th event, and we will taste and compare them again, this time all together
