Estoublon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
PDO of Vallée des Baux-de-Provence 500ml

There are certain things in life that the French do exceptionally well. Bread, cheese, wine, long lunches and looking effortlessly sophisticated whilst doing absolutely nothing. Somewhere near the top of that list, however, is olive oil. And when it comes to olive oil, Château d’Estoublon in Provence knows a thing or two.

Nestled amongst the limestone hills of the Alpilles, in the beautiful Vallée des Baux-de-Provence, Château d’Estoublon has a history stretching all the way back to 1489. That’s over five centuries of Provençal agricultural heritage. Generations have come and gone, empires have risen and fallen, and they’ve still got olive trees growing in the sunshine.

It’s the sort of place that makes you question why you’re sitting in Lancashire in November rather than enjoying a three-hour lunch somewhere beneath a plane tree in the south of France. But I digress. The olive oil itself is something rather special.

Produced from five traditional Provençal olive varieties, Béruguette, Bouteillan, Grossane, Salonenque and Picholine, this beautifully balanced extra virgin olive oil carries the prestigious Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) Vallée des Baux-de-Provence classification.

Much like Champagne, this designation recognises the geographical origins, traditional production methods and particular characteristics of the region. It’s not simply a nice label on a bottle.

The olives are harvested between November and December before being taken to the estate’s own mill, where they’re processed within 24 hours. The oil is cold extracted using mechanical methods, preserving the wonderful natural characteristics of the fruit.

And the result? Well, it’s right lovely.

Rich and generous without being overpowering, with beautifully fresh, grassy notes and a delicate peppery warmth towards the finish. There’s a freshness that reminds you why good olive oil should be considered an ingredient in its own right rather than simply something you pour into a frying pan.

Personally, I’d keep this for the good stuff. Pour a little into a shallow dish, tear off a generous piece of crusty bread, add a pinch of sea salt and get stuck in. A few tomatoes, some mozzarella, perhaps a little basil. Or just bread, olive oil and a glass of something cold whilst pretending you’re on holiday.

And then there’s the bottle itself. Beautifully presented, with that wonderful French elegance that makes even an everyday kitchen essential feel like an occasion.

We’ve always believed that good things don’t necessarily have to be complicated. Whether it’s a beautifully made shirt, a proper cup of coffee or a bottle of olive oil produced with centuries of knowledge behind it, there’s something immensely satisfying about buying something made by people who genuinely understand what they’re doing.

Five hundred years of Provençal history in a rather lovely 500ml bottle.

Not a bad way to improve your lunch.

The finer details

• Origin: Vallée des Baux-de-Provence, Alpilles
• Classification: PDO / AOP Vallée des Baux-de-Provence
• Olive varieties: Béruguette, Bouteillan, Grossane, Salonenque and Picholine
• Production: Organic, cold-extracted extra virgin olive oil
• Tasting notes: Fresh grass, green olives and a gently peppery finish
• Storage: Keep somewhere cool and away from direct sunlight