‘Premium but not ostentatious’: the best extra virgin olive oils to gift instead of wine

Where to find premium versions of this beloved kitchen staple to bring to your next dinner party or Christmas do

This festive season, olive oil is the new bottle of wine. If booze or a scented candle used to be a fail-safe gift option for a party, retailers and food experts are reporting a surge of interest in the kitchen cupboard staple.

The trend is being driven by several factors including a decline in drinking and a shift from dining out to dinners at home. It is premium extra virgin olive oil – or evoo to the experts – that is dominating.