Laudemio Frescobaldi EVOO - Limited Edition Gift Package Tasting Set

A true precursor of the excellence of Italian extra virgin olive oil: in medieval times the name Laudemio indicated the part of the harvest reserved for the landowner. He received the best part of the harvest called “Laudemio”, and the term has been synonymous with value and quality ever since. Already in that time, the Frescobaldi family produced olive oil in Tuscany. Today, Laudemio Frescobaldi represents the maximum expression of extra virgin olive oil from the Frescobaldi olive groves.

The history of Laudemio Frescobaldi

In agriculture for seven hundred years, in 1984 the Frescobaldi estate farm installed a new, latest generation, continuous cycle mechanical press to improve the quality of olive oil. (source: Olive Oil Times)

Then, in 1985 a historical freeze hit Italy and the story of Italy's best oil begins with a natural disaster.
The great snowfall of 1985 whitened all the olive trees, a resistant evergreen that does not do well in certain temperatures. Then came the freeze, unexpected and devastating. In Tuscany, the temperature dipped to -15°, -20°, or even -25°C at times, and the precious olive trees that have always covered the gentle convexity of the hills lost all their branches.

For the Frescobaldi family, which dedicates hectares of its historic estates exclusively to olive oil, it was the signal for a definitive reset of the approach to production and qualitative yield: in a word, it was time for change and to apply the same philosophy used in the wine world, with its rhythms and parameters of excellence used for years.

Laudemio oil is already more than 30 years old, while the first Italian DOP oil - Sabina, year of origin: 1996 or 7 years after Laudemio (source: Sabina PDO) - has yet to turn 25. The Tuscan oil IGP, on the other hand, was founded in even more recent times, precisely in 1998 (source: olio Toscana IGP).

So, when we talk about extra virgin olive oil of excellence, we immediately think of this enlightened Tuscan company. And therefore it is not an exaggeration to argue that the real revolution in the field of oil started in 1988 when Vittorio Frescobaldi created Laudemio. 

Excellence in Five Rules

1)     The Frescobaldi olive groves are located in Tuscany, around Florence, between 200 and 500 meters above sea level, and the terroir and the microclimate ensure that the olive trees produce fruits that are unique in the world for the intensity of their nutritional and organoleptic properties.

2)     Harvesting always takes place before the olives ripen, in October, and before the end of November. This way, all the properties that generally decrease with the aging process remain intact in the product.

3)     The pressing takes place in the shortest possible time, no later than 24 hours after the harvest. Frescobaldi owns its oil mill and in this way can follow the entire production chain, guaranteeing the highest quality.

4)     Frescobaldi oil is filtered and for this reason, it is clear and without residues. This feature not only makes it particularly long-lasting because it is free of substances that can deteriorate over time but also allows it to maintain its bright green color for longer. Just store it correctly, always in its packaging, tightly closed, and away from heat sources.

5)     Once produced, the extra virgin olive oil is tasted and evaluated by a committee of experts and only the highest quality is selected as Laudemio Frescobaldi.

What first catches the eye is the packaging of this product, unusual, original, and especially elegant. The choice of an iconic octagonal-shaped bottle with a retro design similar to that of French perfume was designed to underline and reinforce the excellence of Laudemio. The facets and the transparent glass enhance the color and the luminous highlights of the oil. Each bottle shows the harvest vintage. This characteristic of Laudemio differentiates it from common extra virgin olive oils. The bottles are packaged in individual cardboard boxes to protect the Laudemio from the effects of light. Once opened, it is advisable to always put it back in the special packaging and store it in a cool place away from heat sources. Laudemio Frescobaldi oil is particularly clear, emerald green in color, and has an aroma of fresh-cut grass and artichokes. On the palate, it has a very intense flavor of fresh fruit and a pleasantly spicy aftertaste and has a minimum acidity of less than 0.2%. 

Laudemio Frescobaldi Awards and Recognitions

INTERNATIONAL

1997: # 1 Tuscan Oil, Wine Spectator, USA
2001: Best Olive Oil, Summer Fancy Food Show, New York, USA
2009, 2018, 2020: One of The Best Olive Oils, Der Feinshmecker, Germany
2011, 2018: Silver Award, Los Angeles Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition, USA
2017, 2020: Bronze Award, Los Angeles Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition, USA
2017, 2019, 2020: Gold Award, New York International Olive Oil Competition, USA
2019: Silver Medal, Olive Japan, Japan
2020: Gold Medal, Olive Japan, Japan
2019: 1 Star, Great Taste, UK
2020, 2022 Gold Medal, EVO International Olive Oil Contest.