Frankland River Olive Co named WA’s Best among “amazing” 2021 entries

The Frankland River Olive Company led the winner’s field at this year’s 2021 WA Olive Awards, with its Jingilli brand Picual EVOO named both Best WA Oil of Show and Best Oil of Show. From the Great Southern region, the Jingilli Picual was awarded an outstanding 94 points and Premium Gold by the judges, who described it as “a delicious, complex oil”.

Jingilli/Frankland River Olive Company was also awarded 82 points and Silver for its Frantoio/Leccino EVOO blend.

Best Boutique Oil of Show was awarded to Jarrahdale producers Tarralea Grove for their Barouni olive oil, which also achieved the competition’s top score of 94 points, Premium Gold and the judges’ praise as “a lovely oil”.

Tarralea Grove also received 91 points and Premium Gold for their Hojiblanca EVOO, 83 points and Silver for their Ascolana EVOO, and 84 points and Silver for their Premium Blend of Mission, Kalamata and Manzanilla.

And the Best Flavoured Oil of Show award, an increasingly competitive category among Australian producers, went to NSW producer, Fedra Olive Grove for their Chilli and Lemon Flavoured Olive Oil. The winning oil was awarded 87 points and Gold by the judges, who described it as “delicious and versatile in usage”.

Fedra also received 84 points and Silver for their Garlic Oil Thyme & Lemon Infused with Oregano, and 77 points and Silver for their Rosemary Oil with Fresh Rosemary.

Mild and memorable

Chief Judge Isabelle Okis said the best oils tasted were of an excellent quality this year.

“The winning oils were exciting, memorable and world-class,” she said.

Major Awards - 2021 WA Olive Awards

Jingilli/Frankland River Olive Company Picual

Jingilli/Frankland River Olive Company Picual

Tarralea Grove Barouni

Fedra Olive Grove Chill and Lemon

“The flavours were beautiful and left the palate really clean, with long lingering flavours.

“It was also a most interesting year, with so many delicate oils. Of the 85 EVOO entries, 70% were delicate to very delicate, 15% were in the medium category and 7% were classified as being robust. The unusual weather season in the west, with heavy rain halfway through the harvest season, undoubtedly caused the polyphenol levels and oil percentages to drop.

“It was also noted that 36 of the 85 EVOO entries had a Free Fatty Acid (FFA) content above the average of 0.3. This is of concern, as oils with higher FFA values will have a shorter shelf life.

“Overall, however, the quality was very high and there were so many delicious oils this year. Of the 15 Gold medal winners in the EVOO section, six had scores of 90 or above and were therefore awarded Premium Gold, while in the Flavoured Oil section 13 out of 14 oils were awarded medals.

“So congratulations to all the winners. To the Best of Show EVOO producer, congratulations on a world-class oil. And to the producers who missed out on a medal, please don’t give up. Learn from experience, and you could find yourself as a future contender for Best of Show.”

The statistics

This year’s competition received 99 entries across five classes from 44 entrants, being 85 extra virgin olive oils and 14 flavoured oil entries. This was a 65% increase on the 60 entries from 30 producers for the 2020 competition.

Judges awarded six Premium Gold and 11 Gold medals across all classes, accounting for almost 20% of entries, while more than 50% (51) received Silver medals. Almost 20% received Bronze medals, taking the total medal count to 87/99 - 88% of entries.

Gold medals were awarded to producers right across Western Australia’s growing regions, and also from New South Wales and Victoria.

The full list of medal winners is available in the Results Booklet on the Olives WA website: www.oliveswa.com.au/events.