STEFANO CAROLI

Monte del Duca and Monte Trazzonara. This successful Apulian oil company offers a wealth of choice in its four extra-virgin olive oils. Each oil has its own distinctive style.

Based on Martina Franca in the centre of the "hilly country which makes up the heel of Italy, this company presses its oils from olives grown on their own 44-acre olive grove. These are supplemented with other olives grown in the surrounding areas. The actual mix of olives which goes into each oil is regarded as a company secret.

The olives are harvested by hand by , shaking into nets and most of the picking is over by the end of December. The company's Caroli extra-virgin oil is produced by the continuous centrifugal process. This attractively aggressive oil has a good fruity aroma reminiscent of freshly grated apples but it tastes much more grassy and nutty. It has a strong peppery kick.