FRANTOLIO 2024, CELEBRATION OF PELIGNO OIL EXCELLENCE: SUNDAY AT PRICE

The Peligna Valley, the heart of Abruzzo, is preparing to welcome the 18th edition of the prestigious “Frantolio” competition, an event awaited with great fervor by the olive growers and millers of the region. This annual celebration, dedicated to the “Rustica e Gentile” olive, an authentic gem of the territory, will take place with an awards ceremony next Sunday, April 21st, in Prezza. This year the competition recorded unprecedented participation, with around 80 producers sending the 2023 oil samples. This figure, almost double compared to the last edition, is a tangible sign of the commitment and passion that the olive growers of the territory dedicate themselves to the care and protection of the local olive growing heritage. As stated by the “Rustica e Gentile” association, promoter of the event, this increase in participation is a demonstration of the community’s determination to preserve the traditions and quality of local products. The competition will see five winners, including olive growers and oil millers, selected by a panel of expert tasters led by Marino Giorgetti. Furthermore, there will be five special mentions, intended to recognize particular virtues and characteristics of the participating oils. But Frantolio is not just an opportunity to reward the excellence of Peligno oil. It is also a moment of sharing and learning, as demonstrated by the collateral events organized for the occasion. The students of the “Serpieri” agricultural institute will present a study on the state of olive growing in Peligna, offering an in-depth look at agricultural practices and the challenges that olive growers face on a daily basis. Furthermore, the plant pathologist agronomist Domenico D’Ascenzo will intervene to discuss phytosanitary defense strategies against the adversities that threaten the olive tree, providing valuable information to guarantee the health and productivity of the crops. But the initiatives are not limited to the awards ceremony. On Saturday 20 April, in Piazza Umberto I in Prezza, a guided oil tasting lesson will be held, held by Lorenzo Palazzoli, a unique opportunity to refine your sensory skills and fully appreciate the nuances of taste and aroma of the oil peligno. On Wednesday 24 April, the students of the Serpieri institute will have the opportunity to participate in an olive tree pruning course, managed by the agronomist Luciano Pollastri, a practical experience that will allow them to acquire fundamental skills for the care and management of plant. Frantolio 2024 therefore promises to be an extraordinary event, an opportunity to celebrate the excellence of Peligno oil and to deepen the knowledge of an agricultural and cultural heritage of inestimable value. The Peligna Valley is preparing to host a celebration of flavours, traditions and knowledge, ready to welcome all those who wish to discover and appreciate the best of local olive production.