PLEASE NOTE: This is a recurring auction. The seal number(s) you see on the photos might differ from the one(s) on your bottle(s). Esporão Extra Virgin Olive Oil 6 x 750ml Alentejo Region DESCRIPTION Part of the Alentejo’s montado ecosystem (cork oak forests), in Portugal, Herdade do Esporão has extraordinary conditions for agriculture – large thermal amplitudes, poor and various soils and extraordinary biodiversity that helps us produce in balance with the environment. With 691,9 hectars of vineyards, olive groves and the other crops we grow using organic methods. Here are planted around 40 grape varieties, 4 types of olives, orchards and kitchen gardens. Little more than 170 kilometres southeast of Lisbon, near the historical city of Reguengos de Monsaraz, we find a landscape typical of the Baixo Alentejo region. It is here, amongst rolling plains, shallow valleys, occasional streams, corn fields, vineyards and olive groves, we find Herdade do Esporão. Hill-top farms and small, whitewashed villages guard the memory of life that goes back to the Prehistoric times of tapirs and dolmens, then Iberians, Romans, Visigoths and Muslims and the many others who once settled here. The Medieval history of the region began with the Reconquista of Monsaraz and Reguengos in 1232. Since then, wine and olive oil have become an indelible aspect of the region. The geographical boundaries of Herdade do Esporão (originally Defesa do Esporão) were only established in 1267, and have been practically unchanged since then, despite being the setting for bloody battles and heroic deeds over almost nine centuries. Soeiro Rodrigues, the judge of the city of Évora, was the first of many owners, who included Santiago Rodrigues de Vasconcelos, the Morgado D. Álvaro Mendes de Vasconcelos (who built the Esporão Tower) and the counts of Alcáçovas, who retained the property until 1973, the year it was acquired by José Roquette and Joaquim Bandeira. In 1985, the first vintage saw the creation of the Esporão brand and the first wine produced by what was then Finagra, S.A.. In 1989, wine began being exported to what is now over 50 international markets. Eight years later, Esporão entered the olive oil business with the acquisition of SPAZA (Sociedade Produtora de Azeites do Alentejo) – now Esporão Azeites. OLIVE VARIETIES: Selection of varieties harvested in the region. EXTRACTION PROCESS Shortly after harvest, the olives are shipped to the Esporão mill in Reguengos de Monsaraz where cold extraction immediately begins at room temperatures never exceeding 27ºC (80.6ºF). The fruit is rapidly ground and run through a heat exchanger to shorten extraction time and preserve the aromas. A centrifuge mechanically separates the pomace from the oil that is promptly filtered and packaged. TASTING NOTES Fruity green and mature olives aroma. Notes of fruit, grass, and leaves. Fresh, slightly bitter, and spicy with a finish of dried nuts. A smooth, harmonious olive oil with a good balance of those fruity aromas typical of the Alentejo. SERVING Excellent for cooking and frying in a wide variety of recipes including soups, baking and roasting.