La Londe des Maures: olive oil, nectar of the Maures
© F. Chemel
If it's Eden, then there has to be olive trees. This goes for the Maures country too, which has some of the most beautiful olive groves in the Var, some classified as appellations of origin (AOC), the ultimate as far as quality is concerned.
To find out more, learn to taste and understand what makes the difference between industrially produced and top-quality oil, a visit to the groves is a must. Two estates offer this possibility, in La Londe les Maures, and in Sainte Maxime. Follow the guide!
How to recognize quality olive oil
Although France produces relatively little olive oil – covering hardly 3% of its own needs - French oil is renowned for its quality. In 2006 a number of producers of Huile d’Olive de Provence (Provence olive oil), from the Var, the Bouches du Rhône, the Alpes de Haute Provence and the Vaucluse, were granted the AOC label by the French institute for controlled appellations of origin. This is an undisputed guarantee of quality, which distinguishes it from industrially produced olive oil imported from Spain (57% of world production). Tree density on the two largest olive groves in the Var, the Domaine de la Pierre Plantée in Sainte Maxime and the Domaine du Jasson in La Londe les Maures, varies between 330 and 370 trees per hectare, compared to 1,000 on high-density groves, bent on maximum profit. Here, no chemical pesticides are used: the soil is regularly ploughed, or planted with wheat between the lines of trees on the slopes. The olives are all picked by hand, branch by branch, using a plastic comb.
Green or black?
Another particularity of the olive groves in the Provence is their geographical situation. Because they are located at the northern limit of the olive-growing region, they have to be harvested early, from the month of November, before the first frost. This means they are still green when pressed. As a result, the quantity of oil obtained is reduced; on the other hand, their quality and aroma are incomparable. 7 kilos are needed to obtain one litre compared to only 3 for Tunisian olives, which are black and very concentrated when picked.
How does one taste it?
Whether they are labelled AOC Huile d’Olive de Provence or Huile d’Olive de France, no two oils are identical. Just like wine, the flavour of olive oil varies according to climate, soil and the varieties used. In La Pierre Plantée, it is a combination of 14 different varieties, each one of which has a very distinct aroma. Pierre Carra, who runs the Domaine du Jasson, uses 5 varieties to blend his oil: Alandau, Bouteillan (a typical Var fruit), Caillon, Picholine and Grossane des Baux. The best way to choose an oil is to sniff it and taste it by the spoonful, or on a piece of bread.
How much does French olive oil cost?
"French olive oil varies between 15 and 25 euros a litre, according to quality", explains Thierry Olivier, of La Pierre Plantée. It's hard to do better with a cost price of approximately 12 euros. The oil you find at 9 or 10 euros, on the market or in a supermarket, is bound to be an industrial product, more often than not from Spain. Since the Schengen Agreement, it is no longer compulsory to specify the origin of the produce, once it comes from a member country of the European Union."
Contact us
Le domaine du Jasson
83250 La Londe-les-Maures
(0033) (0)4 94 66 90 26
Visits of plantations and the oil press with the owner, Pierre Carra. By appointment or through the Tourist Office in La Londe les Maures.
Website
See the access map
Grimaud : life before the stars
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Le domaine du Jasson
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Le Domaine de la Pierre Plantée (Sainte-Maxime olive groves)
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Le domaine de la Barbedaï
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An ancient tree
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The appellation of origin "Huile d’olive de Provence"
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Topic : Gastronomy and accomodation
Published on : 2008/10/27
Tags : londe-les-maures londe maures olive oil nectar of the maures
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