PDO

Among the excellences of Liguria, a central role is played by products that have obtained protection of origin recognized by the European Union. PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) and PGI (Protected Geographical Indication).
These certifications are not just any “brands”: they are instruments regulated by food law, which guarantees:

• origin and typicality, linked to the territory and production method
• traceability, thanks to official controls and checks throughout the supply chain
• clear rules, defined in production specifications

On a product label, the presence of PDO or PGI protects the commitment of local producers and is an unparalleled guarantee of origin and typical characteristic, thanks to compliance with the rules laid down in the production regulations.

Basilico Genovese DOP is the soul of the traditional pesto recipe. It is not just a simple flavoring like conventional basil: it is an ingredient with unique characteristics, born from a centuries-old tradition of cultivation on natural soil in Liguria.

The label of Genovese Basil PDO bears the product logo and the European PDO logo, as well as the details of the producer. This guarantees that it is grown on natural soil according to tradition, that it comes from a defined and protected area of Liguria, and that it complies with production regulations that preserve its identity and quality.

Over the centuries, olive growing in Liguria has shaped the landscape with millions of cubic meters of terraces and walls, becoming a bastion of biodiversity and culture. This tradition has given rise to Riviera Ligure DOP extra virgin olive oil, recognizable by the yellow numbered guarantee collar of the Consortium for the Protection of Ligurian Olive Oil.

From west to east, the common thread is elegance: smooth on the palate, with initial sweet notes and a light,
harmonious bitter-spicy finish.

It is precisely this balance that, historically, underpins the traditional recipe for Genoese pesto.

Liguria is one of Italy’s smallest wine-producing regions, yet its wines know how to win over even the most discerning palates. Here, viticulture is often heroic: vineyards between the sea and the mountains, on slopes and terraces that require care and dedication.
Among the PDO wines of Liguria, the following stand out:

• Eastern Liguria
  • Colli di Luni PDO
  • Colline di Levanto PDO
  • Cinque Terre PDO
  • with Vermentino among the most common grape varieties, capable of producing dry, harmonious wines with a delicate almond flavor.
• Province of Genoa
  • Golfo del Tigullio – Portofino DOP (Bianchetta Genovese, Ciliegiolo, Vermentino, Moscato, Cimixià)
  • Val Polcevera DOP, which enhances the Genoese hinterland with wines with distinctive characteristics.
• Western Liguria
  • Riviera Ligure di Ponente DOP (Pigato, Rossese, Moscatello di Taggia)
  • Rossese di Dolceacqua DOP, an elegant, regional red wine
  • Ormeasco di Pornassio DOP, a “mountain” wine with a persistent aroma and dry taste.

During the World Pesto Championship, the public can experience Liguria through its great certified products.

In the “Taste Liguria” project, the Consortia for the Protection of Basilico Genovese DOP, Olio Riviera Ligure DOP, and the Enoteca Regionale della Liguria work together to promote the region’s typical agricultural products by participating in activities related to the Championship.