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Regain Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Mike and Liz Berry
Mike and Liz Berry came to olive oil production almost accidentally. A friend wanted to sell his stunningly beautiful abandoned olive grove in the heart of the Alpilles, and Mike and Liz were looking for a patch of land to start a vineyard. On writing to the local I.N.A.O. for advice, they were told that the olive oil from this region would be getting an Appellation Contrôlée within the next few years, so why not put the olive trees into production, as they had the potential to produce outstanding oil.
This seemed like a good project, and Mike and Liz had the land cleared of all the pine trees and evergreen oaks that had invaded the grove, and started getting the trees back into shape. This project was followed by further purchases of abandoned groves, always in the heart of the Alpilles, around the village of Fontvieille. With the advent of the appellation, many farmers have planted new groves, usually close planted and irrigated. Old, traditional groves, many of which were abandoned after the 1956 frost disaster, are seen as less profitable, as the trees take several years to re-structure. The advantage, however, is that as the olive tree is almost indestructible, many of the old groves contain varieties which are no longer in fashion, and there is a greater range of old traditional varieties which give forgotten nuances to the oil.
The olives are hand picked, and olives from each grove are pressed separately to produce several cuvées, and to express the different varietals and “terroirs” of each grove. The oil is available in mixed cases, (1 bottle each of each cuvée in 50cl; 4 of each in 10cl and 4cl.) and the 50cl. bottles are also available in straight cases of Cuvée Fontaine
Tempête.
Mike and Liz also have a very small vineyard of old Clairette vines, which had also been abandoned. A small amount of dry white is produced, in a very traditional style, unfiltered and unfined, aged for two years in oak casks.
Regain Olive Oil Blends in 2002
Cuvée Henri – from 100% Grossane. The softest, most perfumed oil, with a distinctive fruity flavour. Ideal with grilled fish, vegetables, or for making mayonnaise.
Fontaine Tempête – from a blend of Aglandau, Picholine, Grossane and various ancient varieties. Spicy, peppery, excellent with meats char-grilled vegetables, or on potatoes.
Cuvée Angelina – from 100% Aglandau. Very peppery, delicious for stronger flavoured dishes, pasta, meats and vegetables.
Cuvée Jeannot – from Salonenque, Tanche, Aglandau. Soft, aromatic oil, delicious with grilled fish and salads.
Fourques – principally from Aglandau and Picholine. Delicious on meats, artichokes, and stronger flavoured dishes such as
bouillabaisse.
Ultima – The final picking of very ripe olives. Fruity, soft, ripe oil, delicious with the more delicate fish or vegetable dishes.
2003 Cuvée Henri, 2003 was an exceptionally small crop, only
about a quarter of the normal size. This is the first cuvée to be bottled, from
ripe grossane with some aglandau. Rich, concentrated, lightly spicy, delicious
with salads and vegetables.
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