Champagne or Beer?

Lucia

I have big aspirations, whether we’re talking about life or decorating my home or buying groceries. My dad’s always teasing me that I have champagne taste on a beer budget. For instance, I don’t want to go to the River Walk in San Antonio for vacation. I want to go to the Grand Canal in Venice.

I don’t want a sensible, make-do beige sofa from a big box store. I want the crimson curved beauty featured in a designer magazine. And I don’t want to shop for specialty olive oil in a supermarket. I want to buy imported gourmet extra virgin, guaranteed for its quality, from a world market.

In today’s world, anyone can shop in a world market via the Internet. Access to a computer makes international shopping affordable and attainable for all. Even if you don’t want to order off the Net, you can buy these great olive oils because most Internet stores have 800 numbers you can call to place the order.

You get what you pay for. How many times have you heard that? Some people like to pay more for everything because they think that means they’re getting the best. Sometimes this is true.

The key is to be smart and do your research. I don’t wastefully fling my hard-earned money around. I’ve done my research. I know that with gourmet olive oil, cost is a good indicator of quality.

Yeah, I know what you’re going to say. I know you can find something labeled gourmet extra virgin olive oil at a Super Wally World. Does that mean it’s really as good as the Frescobaldi Laudermio Extra Virgin Olive Oil from the 2006 harvest that I’ve got tucked away in my pantry for a really special occasion?

Let’s get real. What’s the difference between gourmet olive oil bought at a local supermarket and gourmet olive oil ordered from a specialty online shop?

Cost? That’s true. There is a price difference. You save a lot by buying an eight buck bottle of olive oil at your local supermarket. But in a world where you get what you pay for, trust me on this, the price reflects the quality of the olive oil.

Selection? Ah. Here’s a big difference. You won’t find the best olive oils at the supermarket nor will you find imports from all the Mediterranean countries. That’s where specialty online shops reign supreme. They can offer products you just can’t get at your local supermarket.

Quality? Yep. Here’s another area where specialty shops are the king of the hill. The quality they offer in guaranteed estate produced olive oil is never equaled by the stuff labeled “gourmet” in your nearby supermarket.

Let’s say you’re having a quiet intimate dinner for that special man you want to impress. How special is it to serve your supermarket olive oil, even if it’s labeled gourmet? Will that knock his socks off?

Now how special is it to bring out a bottle of estate produced Italian or Greek or Spanish olive oil? When you tell him how many tiny olives went in to producing the special olive oil, which you serve with panache, won’t he be impressed that you went to such care?

There’s a guy I know. I’ve been planning just such an occasion. I can imagine him sitting on my curvy red sofa when I bring in a tray containing glasses of a good Italian vino and my special hors d’oeuvres, hot chunks of crusty bread and beautiful liquid gold extra virgin olive oil.

Won’t he be impressed with the food?
And with me.

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One Response to “Champagne or Beer?”

  1. # Ayuon 19 Nov 2008 at 7:25 am

    Dear Lucy,

    You mentioned that “price reflects the quality of the olive oil”.
    Have u tried an Australian Olive Oil before?

    Their prices are a bit higher than the Mediterranean countries. So does that mean that the Aussie’s EVOO are much better?

    Thanks

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