It's now been over two decades since I first fell in love with Alziari, the old shop in the historic center of Nice, on France’s Côte d’Azur. Their extra virgin olive oil is exceptional and typically Niçoise—light, flowery and elegant but still full of character and charisma. I could use the same phrase to describe the tin it comes in. It's such a beautiful package that it makes one of the best gifts from our catalog; it needs no wrapping.

The oil is perfect for a traditional salade niçoise made with potatoes, tomatoes, cucumber, Niçoise olives, basil, green beans and good olive oil-packed tuna. Gourmet, Fine Cooking and Travel & Leisure have all written about how they love Alziari. It’s been one of our most popular oils for years.

The current crop of oil, harvested and pressed in fall 2012, has a rich black olive aroma that almost hints of lemon. The oil is incredibly thick and creamy in the mouth, but its buttery, roasty flavor is mild enough that it won't overwhelm other more delicate flavors. In other words, this is instant fish sauce.

Full disclosure: this oil is not made from 100% French-grown olives. The Alziaris also source olives from Spain and Italy. 

"Floral and feminine, Alziari is a classic niçoise oil from the Côte d'Azur."
Travel & Leisure