The Olive Sector in Spain has implemented denominations of DO origin, to determine the area of cultivation and processing of olive oil.
La Rioja D.O.
It includes the area of La Rioja. Among the most important varieties are the following: Redondal, Arbequina, Empeltre, Machona, Negral, Royal, Hojiblanca, Verdial, Picual, Cornicabra, Manzanilla, Blanqueta.
As a general rule, oils from this appellation of origin provide us with a product with almond and fruity flavors, with a slight final itch and with sweeter than bitter tendencies.
Mallorca D.O.
Its area of influence covers all of Mallorca. Among its main varieties are the Mallorquina olive or empeltre, arbequina and picual. This Denomination of Origin offers us as the main attribute the sweetness of its oils. Oils with almond tones and very fruity where itching and bitterness are barely noticed, except in the first of the campaign. As the year progresses, these oils become sweeter and softer.
Baix Ebre Montsiá D.O.
Oils from the lower Ebro and Montsiá area (Tarragona). The four most common varieties are Morrut, Sevillenca and Farga.
They offer us some well-fruity oils at the beginning of the campaign, which gradually turn into sweet or semi-sweet as the year progresses.
Lower Aragon D.O.
It mainly comprises the North-Western area of Aragon. The regions between Zaragoza and Teruel.
The vast majority of the predominant olive in the area corresponds to the Empeltre variety, which covers more than 90% of the production of the area, although in smaller quantity it is common to find Arbequina and Royal.
Intense golden oils, with a fresh olive flavor, very soft and pleasant flavor, and very clean and transparent looking.
Monterrubio D.O.
It comprises the areas of La Serena, Siberia and The Southern Campiña of Badajoz.
90% of the production corresponds to the Cornezuelo and Picual varieties. Morilla and Cornicabra are some of the varieties comprising the remaining 10% of the olive grove.
Aromatic and almond oils but with hints of bitterness and final itching.
Antequera D.O.
Shire of the Depression of Antequera (Malaga). We can mainly find the variety Hojiblanca, and to a lesser extent Picual, Arbequina, Lechin, Gordal, Picudo and Verdial.
They are light oils, with fruity green olives and ripe olives. It is common to find appeased flavors. Light itching and bitterness that blend perfectly with sweet tones.
Baena D.O.
Southeast area of Cordoba. The most common varieties of this area are Picudo, Lechín, Picual and Hojiblanca.
Intense and very fruity and aromatic oils, with flavors between ripe olives and bitter-looking almonds.
Jaén Countryside D.O.
It covers the entire central and northwestern area of Jaén.
Areas dominated by the Picual variety and to a lesser extent Arbequina.
Oils with a bitter taste and slightly spicy, with medium intensity fruity.
Estepa D.O.
As the name suggests, it comprises the Estepa area.
Almost the 3/4 parts of the production correspond to the Hojiblanca variety, the rest being divided between Manzanilla, Picual, Lechín and Arbequina.
These oils tend to taste fruit (fresh or ripe), with slightly bitter touches in contrast to sweeter tones.
Gata Hurdes D.O.
North Area of Cáceres, Jerte Valley, Sierra de Gata, Hurdes, La Vera. Almost 100% of the production corresponds to the Manzanilla Cacereña variety. They are very fruity oils in which itching and bitterness are almost non-existent.
It is common to find flavors with shades of banana or apple.
Les Garrigues D.O.
It covers the southern area of Lleida, Comarca de Les Garrigues and La Segarra.
The Arbequina variety encompasses the vast majority of production.
They are very fruity oils with almond tones, with bitter or sweet tendencies depending on whether the harvest has been early or late.
Montes de Granada D.O.
It includes the area of Los Montes de Granada.
Picual and Lucius are the predominant varieties. Picuales and Gordales are, albeit in smaller, frequent in the area.
Slightly bitter and fruity oils.
Montes de Toledo D.O.
Area of the Montes de Toledo, between the southwest of Toledo and Northwest of Ciudad Real.
The only predominant variety is Cornicabra. It offers us an oil with bitter and spicy tendencies and very intense and aromatic fruity.
Olí Terra Alta D.O.
Shire of Terra Alta and ribera del Ribera del Ebro.
Empeltre and Arbequina are the most common varieties. Fruity and slightly sweet oils.
Granada D.O.
It covers the western part of Granada. Most common varieties: Picudo, Picual, Hojiblanca and Loaime.
Oils with a perfect harmony of sweet and bitter/spicy tones. Very balanced and round in the mouth.
Priego de Córdoba D.O.
Southwest area of Cordoba.
Picudo, Picual and Hojiblanca are abundant. Generally sweet and very balanced oils very pleasant in the mouth.
Sierra de Cadiz D.O.
It occupies the entire area of the Sierra de Cádiz. The predominant varieties are Lechín, Verdial and Manzanilla. We can also find Arbequina, hojiblanca and Picual.
Medium fruity oils, without too much itching or bitterness, but without mastering the sweetest tones.
Sierra de Cazorla D.O.
Area of the Natural Park of the Sierra de Cazorla, Segura and Las Villas. The varieties that occupy almost 100% of the production are the Picual and Royal.
Oils with a bitter taste and very fruity.
Sierra Mágina D.O.
Sierra Mágina Natural Park area.
Among its varieties we highlight the Picual and the Manzanilla de Jaén. Oils similar to those of the Sierra de Cazorla, where fruiting predominates with a slight bitterness.
Sierra del Segura D.O.
Northwest of Jaén, between Albacete, Ciudad Real and Granada. Varieties: Picual, Royal and Manzanilla de Jaén.
Very fruity oils where the bitter and spicy tones barely appear.
Siurana D.O.
It covers the counties of El Priorato, Alto and Bajo Campo, El Tarragonés and Ribera del Ebro. Two are the typical varieties of this area: Royal and Morrut.
Very fruity and almond oils predominate, where we can find bitter tones in early harvesting oils and softer and sweeter oils that come from late olives.