The holiday season approaches. For those with a refined palate and a penchant for high-end culinary delights, selecting the perfect gift can be a challenge. Enter the world of olive oil and balsamic vinegars. At Primo we know how to put together a world class olive oil and vinegar gift set for the foodies in your life.
Here’s everything you need to know to choose the best and send a memorable and personal gift to your friends and family this year.
How to Choose the Best Olive Oil and Vinegar Gifts
What to look for in a good olive oil
When shopping for an olive oil and vinegar gift set always make sure the olive oil is extra virgin olive oil, or EVOO. EVOO is the purest and highest quality olive oil that’s made from cold-pressed olives. It’s not only the most flavorful and impressive one to give, it packs the most nutrition.
Even if a bottle says “extra virgin olive oil”, always check the ingredients label to make sure it’s not a marketing trick. Or better yet you can shop with us where every Primo olive oil is high-quality in the purest form.
There are three main attributes of olive oil to keep an eye out for when shopping for your olive oil and vinegar gift sets.
- Origin: A genuine olive oil’s origin speaks volumes about its quality. Whether it’s the sun-kissed groves of Tuscany or the ancient fields of Greece, the region makes a difference. At Primo our oils come from the finest growers from Greece, Spain, Italy and even Australia!
- Taste: A premium olive oil should have a distinct and balanced flavor – not overly bitter, not too mild. When you take a look at our tasting notes you’ll be able to see the unique properties of each varietal.
- Color: It’s a misconception that color always determines quality. Instead, it’s the product of the olive variety and its processing.
We encourage you to stop in when gift shopping this holiday season if you can and treat yourself to a complimentary tasting of our newest varietals so you can taste the difference. The region an olive oil comes from, the fluctuations in temperature and when they pick can greatly affect how peppery or mild, sharp or smooth an oil is! That’s what makes olive oil so fun. Just like wine it is a truly unique flavor with each batch.
Best types of vinegar for gourmet cooks
Your foodie friends, workers and family members may pride themselves on their ingredient choices and balsamic vinegar is no exception. Balsamic vinegar is top-tier when fermented for at least 12 years. But the older the bottle, the better the quality and deliciousness. You’ll also want to ensure it’s made from real grapes and crafted by artisans in Modena, Italy for that authentic flavor.
Lucky for you, every vinegar we add to our gift boxes vary in age from 12-18 years. All the grapes are Trebbiano and Lambrusco from the Emilio-Reggio region which is where Modena is located. The ultimate test of a truly exceptional balsamic vinegar is to see if you can sip it straight. At Primo we even recommend making a Primotini because ours are so delicious.
To sum up, the top two attributes you’re looking for in balsamic vinegar gift sets are…
- Aging Process: Look for vinegars that have been aged at least 12 years.
- Origin: The source often dictates the authenticity and superiority of the vinegar. Finding balsamic vinegar crafted by artisans in Medena, Italy is going to be your best bet.
5 Olive Oil and Vinegar Gift Ideas for Foodies
Gourmet Olive Oil Gift Sets
Your foodie friends are going to be so excited when presented with an Olive Oil Gift box. A home chef is only as good as the quality of their ingredients and it’s not always easy to find high quality olive oil in your local grocery store.
We love creating a four pack of our most recent varietals or combining a true varietal with a few of our infused olive oils. Home chefs swear by our Garlic Olive Oil, Herbs de Provence and Milanese Gremolata just to name a few.
Best Vinegar Gifts
We have several customers that come to us purely for our balsamic vinegars. In fact, health guru Miranda Sommer, the creator of Reset with Miranda, includes a Balsamic Gift set in each of her starter packs.
High quality balsamic vinegars are incredible to add to dressings and marinades but your gourmet friends will also love surprising people by using them in a reduction on top of ice cream, as the base of these delicious Dark Chocolate Fudge Balsamic Brownies, or even as a kick to this Bloody Mary recipe.
Just like with olive oil gift sets, your balsamic vinegar quality matters. When picking out your vinegar gift set we recommend incorporating a true 18 YO balsamic vinegar along with some surprising and delicious dark and white balsamic vinegar flavors.
For either Olive Oil Gift sets or Balsamic Vinegar Gift Sets you can pick your favorite varietals and flavors by choosing from our 2, 4 or 6-Pack Samplers. If purchasing online you can identify your preferred balsamic vinegars and olive oils in the notes section at checkout.
PRIMO 2-PACK GIFT SET
$20.00
The 2-Pack Sampler Gift Set of 60ml bottles of EVOO and balsamic gives you a quick taste of a couple of our popular items.
PRIMO 4-PACK GIFT SET
$35.00
The 4-Pack Sampler Gift Set of 60ml bottles of EVOO and balsamic vinegars is a great addition to any cook’s kitchen.
PRIMO 6-PACK GIFT SET
$45.00
The 6-Pack Sampler Gift Set of 60ml bottles of EVOOs and balsamic vinegars makes a great gift for a holiday party host/hostess.
Olive Oil and Vinegar Gift Sets
Whether they are a culinary mastermind, a weeknight chef, or a casual cook – our olive oil and vinegar gift sets are a thoughtful gift for any foodie. Each of our boxes is its own gastronomic adventure with a unique mix of Primo Olive Oil, Balsamic Vinegar, gourmet pantry products, and hand-crafted dipping bowls.
Here’s what you can find in each of our gift box selections:
THE PRIMO ADVENTURE
$70.00
- 1 200ml Tuscan Herb EVOO
- 1 200ml Traditional Balsamic
- 1 Pappardelle’s Pasta
- 1 3oz jar Savannah Bee Honey
- 1 hand-painted Sombremesa Fairtrade dipping bowl
- 1 jar Wells made Seed and Nut Butter or Lowcountry Preserves
THE PRIMO EXPERIENCE
$95.00
- 1 200 ml Tuscan Herb EVOO
- 1 200 ml Traditional Balsamic
- 1 Pappardelle’s Pasta
- 1 3oz jar Savannah Bee Honey
- 1 8 oz bag Bequet Caramels
- 1 hand-painted Sombremesa Fair Trade dipping bowl
- 1 jar Janet’s Compote
- 1 jar Wellsmade Roasted Seed or Nut Butters
THE PRIMO ULTIMATE GOURMET
$130.00
- 1 200ml Tuscan Herb EVOO
- 1 200ml Traditional balsamic
- 1 Pappardelle’s Pasta
- 1 3 oz Savannah Bee Honey
- 1 8 oz bag Bequet Caramels
- 1 hand-painted Sombremesa Fairtrade dipping bowl
- 1 jar Wellsmade Seed and Nut Butter
- 1 jar Janet’s Compote
- 1 jar Primo’s Private Label Fruit Butter
- 1 jar Primo’s Private Label Salsa
Serving Trays & Containers
For the true gourmet, think of pairing your olive oil and vinegar gift set with sophisticated decanters or rustic serving trays. We love pairing a two-pack with one of our hand-crafted serving bowls as a hostess gift.
You can also shop local antique malls to find truly unique decanters and serving trays. Don’t limit yourself to only seeking the traditional olive oil container – small pitchers or even a vintage cut glass brandy decanter can turn your olive oil or balsamic vinegar gift into a truly unique surprise.
Some unique ideas include…
- Small pitchers for serving gourmet crafted dressings
- Shallow serving dishes to serve alongside bread for dipping
- Decanters! Show off the beautiful rich color of balsamic vinegar in a decanter
- Jewelry Dishes can be repurposed as dipping bowls
- Serving dishes of any size, especially if your gift recipient loves to grill
Oil & Vinegar Storage Containers
When shopping for storage containers to include with your olive oil and vinegar gift set you want to make sure anything you choose is food safe. Plastic and silver containers are not recommended and could taint the flavor of your gift. Seek out high quality glass or steel containers.
Balsamic vinegar is shelf stable and due to its acid content typically won’t be affected by exposure to air. Your unique storage container doesn’t have to be air tight but whatever storage container you find make sure your gift recipient knows to store their balsamic vinegar in a cool, dark place. Under a counter or in a cabinet are your best bets.
You have to be a little more selective when finding containers for your olive oil gifts. Olive oil, like wine, will start to degrade as soon as it’s exposed to air. Air tight containers are a must, and choosing a more petite container can help with maintaining the quality of your olive oil gift.
GIFT BOX FAQS
Can I ship gift boxes?
Yes! Gift boxes can be ordered online and shipped anywhere within the U.S. We can also deliver locally in the Louisville area. Just give us a call at the shop.
If I am Gluten-Free/Nut-Free, can I substitute items in the gift boxes?
Absolutely! Gluten-Free and Nut-Free boxes are available upon request. If you are ordering online, just put the items you need to avoid in the notes section and we will substitute them.
I love the gift boxes, but also need a smaller gift and stocking stuffers. Do you have options for those?
For smaller olive oil and vinegar gift sets we have 2, 4 or 6 gift boxes. These work as fantastic stocking stuffers, hostess gifts, white elephant exchange and secret santa and more.
What goes well with olive oil as a gift?
Pairing olive oil with artisanal bread or select dipping spices is always a winning combination. You can also pick out some of our baking mixes. Pairing a Blood Orange Infused Olive Oil with our Olive Oil Cake Mix makes a unique and holiday friendly gift.
Can you give olive oil as a gift?
Indeed. Olive oil stands as a timeless symbol of sophistication and culinary appreciation. Both novice and seasoned home chefs will appreciate playing with the diversity of flavors that olive oil can add to a dish.
Is balsamic vinegar a good gift?
Certainly. Especially for those who value culinary classics, balsamic vinegar is a versatile and esteemed choice.
Choose Primo Oils for an Unparalleled Gifting Experience
The Primo Oils Gift Box isn’t just another gift; it’s a luxury and culinary delight boxed up in a delightful package. Sourced meticulously and curated with precision, the Primo Gift Box offers the highest quality olive oils, vinegars, and other local treasures, such as rare local honey, exquisite truffle salts, and artisanal nut butters.
Customer Testimonials
“If there is any type of olive oil you are looking for, this is the place to visit. Great customer service!”
“The enhanced Oils Primo! offers add so much to my meals and our dinners. The Basil, Herbs de Provence, and Tuscany are my favorites. They’re wonderful for dipping bread, (right next door to Breadworks!) but add so much to salmon, Chicken, and veggie dishes. I love PRIMO!”
“Shipment was super quick, packaging was over the top great! I got the Pomegranate balsamic vinegar. So awesome, taste is superb! Just enough sweetness, but also tart enough! Going to get more soon!”
**To Your Health**
For the esteemed clientele who understand the value of premium quality, there’s no better choice than Primo Oils. Ensure your orders are placed before December 18th to receive them in time for Christmas.
Make a statement this holiday season. Treat your loved ones to the Primo Oils Gift Box.
