Extra Virgin Olive Oil & Matured Balsamic Vinegar of Modena

We supply the UK direct with quality Olive Oils and Balsamic Vinegars through our website at www.thegiftofoil.co.uk , mail order and through the many craft and fine food shows throughout the country that we attend. At the shows we offer a full tasting experience to help you discern the quality of our oils and vinegars click here to find out about upcoming shows where you can taste our olive oils and balsamic vinegars.

Also please click around either this site to find out more about olive oil and balsamic vinegar or go to our main site to see information about tasting olive oils, see reviews of our fantastic condiments by famous chefs and customers or to buy our olive oil and balsamic vinegars online.

Only superior products are offered as the gift of oil. There is no compromise on quality. Our suppliers are good friends and work to the same exacting standards as we do. We aim not merely to satisfy our valued customers but to delight them.

Fine Food Retailersthe gift of oil is an accredited supplier to The Guild Of Fine Food Retailers.

Great Taste Awards 2003Our 5 year old Balsamic Vinegar of Modena won a Gold Medal at the 2003 Great Taste Awards.

To really savour and appreciate extra virgin olive oil, it helps to know how to taste and thus differentiate between high quality oils such as those from the gift of oil and the many mediocre oils unfortunately available.

Never taste more than six oils in any one session and always refresh your mouth between each one with sparkling water or a slice of apple. Taste with a friend, make notes and compare - great fun!

  1. Pour a little oil in a glass and warm with your hands to allow the aromas to escape. These should then be slowly inhaled, making a mental note of the bouquet.
  2. Dip some plain white bread into the oil and taste or, preferably, sip the oil straight from the glass! Once in your mouth, draw the oil towards the centre of a cupped tongue, hold it there for a few seconds and then, keeping your lips pursed, draw air in quickly - causing the oil to spray your palate.
  3. Write a note of style, aroma and taste.
  4. Refresh your mouth and move onto the next.

Some of the more readily used words to describe oils are;