When we think about holidays, we often think of that perfect pairing of vino for our meal.
But Adoro Olive Oils and Vinegars has lots of ideas to get the mixed greens, marinades, bread, main dishes and cocktails on your table come alive with holiday flavour.
Kelly Norris is the new owner of Adoro, in the South End at the Cedar Pointe Plaza.
Norris has been working at the store for the last three years, and just recently took over the master keys.
The vinegars are imported from Modena, Italy, while the olive oils are crushed in the southern hemisphere.
“You always want to ensure you are getting the freshest crush. So we research crush dates before we order,” Norris said.
The oils and vinegars are then flavour-infused in Pennsylvania before arriving in Sudbury where they are then stored in stainless steel cauldrons called fustis.
“Fustis are dark cauldrons. You want to protect the product by bottling in dark bottles and storing oil and vinegar away from sunlight,” Norris said.
There are about 16 olive oils with a few specialty blends like walnut, toasted sesame and white truffle. There are 28 balsamic vinegars on top of white vinegars like champagne, sherry or red wine vinegar.
Norris said a lot of customers enjoy the tasting bar because they can pair vinegars and oils to find that perfect blend to take home to their pantry. She says many are using the flavoured vinegars to produce cocktails and sparkling waters, too.
Customers not interested in flavoured varieties, can opt for plain extra virgin olive oil in mild, medium and robust flavours.
Adoro has been in business for 12 years now and Norris said over the years, she has noticed an uptick in people buying local oils and vinegars.
“Once you taste quality, you know the difference,” she said. “Many people want to eat as pure and clean as they can. They want to stay away from additives, dyes and preservatives.”
Norris said many people who follow a FODMAP diet due to irritable bowel syndrome or belly issues have discovered they can still find pleasure in eating the oils and vinegars at Adoro.
“Most of these customers say they cannot handle raw garlic or onion due to their sensitivities, but can get the garlic infused olive oil and still have a happy belly,” she said.
Norris has also been adding lots of pantry items from local vendors and these are sprinkled around the store.
She offers a membership club that provides a discount on monthly featured pairings. In December, customers will try butter olive oil and maple balsamic mix.
Adoro also has a sister store in North Bay. All the pouring and bottling is done here in Sudbury for that location.
Adoro Olive Oils and Vinegars has posted Christmas hours for the month of December.
It’s open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday, as well as 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays.
To learn more, visit the website at AdoroOilsandVinegars.ca.
Anastasia Rioux is a writer in Greater Sudbury. Let’s Eat! is made possible by our Community Leaders Program.
