Spedalotto Tonda Iblea DOP, Frescobaldi Laudemio and Zuccardi Arauco each earned Gold Awards in the world’s leading olive oil quality contest
Olive Oil Times |
New York, United States — Manicaretti Italian Food Importers has been awarded three Gold Awards at the 2026 NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition, led by Spedalotto Tonda Iblea DOP.
Spedalotto Tonda Iblea DOP is a medium-intensity extra virgin olive oil produced from Tonda Iblea olives. Distinguished by herbaceous aromas and a bright, savory structure, Spedalotto Tonda Iblea DOP shows notes of herbs and fig leaf, with chicory and radish adding lift and a persistent spice carrying through the finish.
Manicaretti Italian Food Importers also received a Gold for Frescobaldi Laudemio, a medium-intensity extra virgin olive oil made from Frantoio olives, and a Gold for Zuccardi Arauco, a medium-intensity extra virgin olive oil made from Arauco olives. Together, the three awards underscored the breadth of Manicaretti Italian Food Importers’ curated portfolio at the world’s largest olive oil quality contest.
Founded in 1988 by Rolando Beramendi, Manicaretti Italian Food Importers was established to bring products from Italy’s regional artisan producers to the United States. Manicaretti Italian Food Importers imports and wholesales fine Italian foods to retailers and restaurants, with olive oil among the flagship categories in its selection.
The 2026 results add to a long record of success at the NYIOOC for Manicaretti Italian Food Importers. Overall, Manicaretti Italian Food Importers has earned 51 Gold Awards and 12 Silver Awards, for a total of 63 distinctions. Recent results include four Gold Awards in 2025 and four Gold Awards and one Silver Award in 2024, along with multiple-award years such as 2022 (six Gold), 2021 (six Gold, three Silver), 2020 (eight Gold) and 2019 (eight Gold, two Silver).
In the Olive Oil Times World Ranking, Manicaretti Italian Food Importers’ NYIOOC performance is tracked alongside other top producers and brands worldwide.
The NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition, widely regarded as the world’s leading olive oil quality contest, is a trusted reference for consumers and industry professionals.