Do you know what DOP oil is? In particular, the DOP oil Terra d’Otranto?
Like wines, the quality of extra virgin olive oil that bears the DOC (Controlled Designation of Origin) label is certainly a guarantee of the product’s quality and its origin from a specific geographical area.
Indeed, the distinctive elements of oils vary from region to region: the color can range from straw yellow to green, the flavor not only reflects that of fresh olives but also hints at fruits or vegetables, and the aroma can be intense or mild.
Currently, in the olive oil sector, there are two systems for protection and enhancement recognized by both Italian national regulations and by EU regulations:
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- Law No. 169 of 05/02/1992 establishes the “Controlled Designation of Origin” (DOC) for virgin and extra virgin oil, applicable only within the national territory;
- EU Regulation No. 2081/92, concerning the recognition of DOP and IGP, is applicable throughout the entire EU territory.
Only the EU legislation will be applied in the olive oil sector, as it effectively repeals the national legislation regarding the sector.
The DOP (Protected Designation of Origin) and IGP (Protected Geographical Indication) labels for extra virgin olive oil certify that the product originates from an area (geographical zone of the member countries) legally recognized at the community level (Reg. 2081/92) as the heart of excellent olive oil production.
A sun with a yellow border and a blue background, featuring the stylized image of a working field: this is the symbol that signals to European consumers the products with DOC and IGP designations.
As of June 30, 2016, there are 43 DOPs and one IGP in Italy (located in a Tuscan area), and more are expected to emerge.
If you want to see the complete list, here is the full list of DOP and IGP products in Italy.
DOP Oil Terra d’Otranto
In the province of Lecce, which encompasses the territories of the Salento municipalities, the designation of extra virgin DOP oil Terra d’Otranto has been recognized since 1998, under Reg. (EC) No. 644 of 20/03/1998.
The DOP Oil Terra d’Otranto must be characterized according to the disciplinary by:
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- Olive variety: the DOP Terra d’Otranto oil is obtained from the following varieties of olives found either alone or in combination in the orchards: Cellina di Nardò and Ogliarola for at least 60%. Other varieties available in the orchards can additionally contribute, but not exceed 40%;
- Production area: this encompasses the entire administrative territory of the municipalities in the provinces of Lecce and Taranto, as well as the following municipalities in the province of Brindisi: Brindisi, Cellino San Marco, Erchie, Francavilla Fontana, Latiano, Mesagne, Oria, San Donaci, San Pancrazio Salentino, San Pietro Vernotico, Torchiarolo, and Torre San Susanna;
- Cultivation characteristics: suitable olive groves are those situated within an altitude limit of 517 meters above sea level, whose lands, of Cretaceous limestone origin, with streaks of Lower and Middle Tertiary limestones and extensive clayey-sandy sediments of the Pliocene and Pleistocene, belong to the brown or red soil types often found in alternating patches, sitting on limestone rocks. The planting patterns, cultivation forms, and pruning systems must be those traditionally used, or in any case, suitable not to alter the characteristics of the olives and the oil. A maximum density of 400 plants per hectare is allowed. Harvesting must be completed by January 30 of each year. The maximum production of olives must not exceed 12 tons per hectare for intensive plantations. The maximum yield of olives into oil must not exceed 20%;
- Oil extraction methods: olive harvesting must be done by hand or with mechanized means. Only mechanical and physical processes are allowed for oil extraction. The oil extraction operations must occur within 2 days of harvesting the olives;
- Labeling and presentation: the oil must be sold in glass or tin containers with a capacity not exceeding 5 liters. It is mandatory to indicate on the label the year of olive production from which the oil is derived.
The Consortium for the Protection of DOP Oil Terra d’Otranto was established on July 22, 2002, and recognized by the MIPAF with a Decree on July 22, 2003 (published in the Official Journal on August 21, 2003).
For more information, visit the Protection Consortium DOP and the control agency CCIAA of Lecce.
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