• This term might sound familiar to lovers of olive oil and wine, but in reality, few people know what a ‘coupage’ truly is. 
• As technical as it may sound, this term is actually much more common than it seems.

WHAT IS A COUPAGE 

Often, we hear experts in wine and oil talking and want to know exactly what they are referring to in order to learn from them. We already learned about what unfiltered oil was, and today, we will learn about coupages. Although the word might not be familiar to many, it is commonly used when talking about wines and oils. Knowing its meaning can improve our understanding of these products’ creation processes.

‘Coupage,’ like many terms used in enology, comes from French and literally means ‘cut.’ This cut refers to the ‘separation or division of something into two portions,’ indicating a mixture. This is precisely what it means when applied to these types of foods: the separation and combination of different varieties of a raw material to create something new. In the case of olive oil, it means creating a new product through experimentation.

This technique has gained prominence in recent years due to the ambition of oil companies to explore new frontiers and the need to innovate in terms of flavors. It has become increasingly easy to find these products in specialized shops or supermarkets. While the final consumer unfamiliar with oil or wine might overlook the richness of nuances these products can offer, ‘coupages’ are well received by experienced tasters, who can distinguish the different details that a well-made combination can provide.

PROCESS OF MAKING A COUPAGE 

Now that we know what a coupage is, it’s interesting to understand the process that leads to its creation. It is a meticulous and complicated job. To carry it out, the best master millers, expert tasters, and connoisseurs of wine and oil are needed. However, for commercialization, laboratories must comply with certain regulations imposed by wine and oil regulatory councils.

Before making such a mixture, it must be established which variety of grape or olive will dominate. There are certain limits regarding the proportion of each variety present in a coupage to ensure that each ingredient can leave its mark on the final result. This way, producers are prevented from deceiving consumers by claiming to include certain high-quality or trendy varieties when, in reality, their wine or oil is composed of another.

It is common for the dominant variety to be native to the place where oil is made so that the product is considered “local.” This not only maintains a good image but also respects the brands’ traditions. Then, each has its own motivations for mixing olives or grapes, ranging from creating harmonies between similar flavors and nuances to innovating through the disruption of very disparate varieties. For example, in the case of 1881, the intention when creating the oil was to represent the most characteristic flavors and aromas of the Osuna olive grove, so local olives such as Manzanilla, Lechín, and Hojiblanca were chosen.

TYPES OF COUPAGE 

Depending on its nature, there are several ways to make a coupage. The most common forms of making this type of mixture are four: with different grapes or olives (young and mature), with different varieties, with the same varieties from different harvests or vintages, and with the same varieties but from different locations (which can result in new nuances due to different soils and climatic conditions).

The classic coupage usually involves different varieties of olives or grapes. This is also a way for companies to reinvent themselves and offer new products that can surprise consumers.

To conclude, we can note the existence of an internal debate in the world of oil and enology about whether mixing is the best option. Some experts prefer coupages while others prefer to taste the product from a single harvest in wines and oils known as monovarietal. What is clear is that both options are not mutually exclusive. This way, the consumer can continue to enjoy the most traditional flavors and explore new avenues by discovering the most innovative and successful mixtures.