
The 2021 New Harvest Extra Virgin Olive Oils
2021 has been a challenging season for our growers as they battled with late frost, followed by unsettled weather during flowering, over all significantly less water throughout the growing season and then a countrywide heat spike in August that impacted most regions.
When it comes to olive growing, we are used to a cycle of an abundant year, followed by a less abundant year (that typically follows pruning, so the tree tends to give less as it regains its composure). 2021 however has been drastic in terms of volume for many. Those of you who have been reading the Cold Press for some time will know that we live in rural Tuscany and here in particular, the yields have been significantly hit – for many small growers, it wasn’t even worth harvesting.
Likewise, in the far North of Italy, the yields have been much lower this year, in some places the harvest has been only 10% of the volume achieved in 2020.
In terms of quality, you need not worry in the slightest, for whilst this is a very small harvest, the oils are looking sensational. Aromas are very fine and the concentration of polyphenols is high, which is just what we need in particular for the winter ahead.
We’ve done our absolute best to get an allocation for you, to ensure these wonderful oils are at your table for the year ahead.