Joint-best extra-virgin olive oil in the world is Spanish 

AN OLIVE oil produced in Spain has been nominated the joint best extra-virgin in the world, along with another from Italy – and the two countries take up most of the top 10.

The annual EVOOLEUM guide is produced by tasting and analysing over 800 samples of oil from around 20 countries worldwide, with a panel of expert judges rating them according to a long list of criteria.

Each entry in the top 100 – those which make it into the EVOOLEUM guide -.are described in detail, including their exact location of production, olive variety, type of olive tree, dishes it is designed to complement, tourism-related activities linked to production, whether they are certified as organic, Halal or Kosher, and their flavour and appearance.

For the first time, the top scorer in the 100 entries goes equally to two different olive oils from two different countries.

From Spain, the Rincón de la Subbética Altitude, made by Almazaras de la Subbética, earns 97 points out of a possible 100.

Described as a 'very intense green' and 'fruity and citric' in flavour with 'herby notes', including thyme and spearmint, a 500ml (half-litre, or three-quarter pint) bottle comes in at just €19.95, making it an ideal Christmas gift for anyone with a passion for cooking or eating – a classy present at a very affordable price.

The Rincón de la Subbética Altitude shares the number one slot with Italy's Monini Monocultivar Coratina Bio, an organic variety produced in Perugia, also with 97 points, and costing €24.

Spain has two in a top five largely dominated by Italy; the latter country takes the number three slot (Don Giocchino, from the Puglia region, with 96 points and costing €25 for 500ml) and number four (Monini Monocultivar Frantoio Bio, also from Perugia using a different olive variety to its number one Coratina version, costing €17.40).

Number five goes to Spain with the Parqueoliva Serie Oro, earning 95 points and made in Córdoba using the olive varieties Hojiblanca and Picuda – an oil with over 400 international awards and costing €13.59 for 500ml.

After Italy's number six – La Patràun, made in the Puglia region with Peranzana olives and costing €16 for 500ml – it's back to Spain for number seven, the Puerta de las Villas Picual Temprano, again with 95 points.

This oil is made using an early-harvested Picual olive variety, in the Sierra de las Villas y la Vega del Guadalquivir mountain range in the inland Andalucía province of Jaén, and costs €12.20 for 500ml.

Croatia gains its sole top-10 entry, at number eight, with the Monte Rosso Grand Selection, earning 94 points and made in the coastal town of Crveni Vrh, using Leccino and Bianchera Istriana olives and costing €29 for 500ml.

Spain returns at number nine with another extra-virgin from Córdoba, the Fuente del Rey, with 94 points.

Made from the Hojiblanca and Picual olives, it costs just €9.95 for half a litre.

The final entry in the top 10 is the highest-ranked non-European extra-virgin olive oil – the Azeite Sabiá Blend Especial, from São Paulo, Brazil, with 94 points, made from the Arbosana, Arbequina and Koroneiki olives.

It is also the most expensive, with the price given as €15.70 for 250ml, or €31.40 for half a litre.