Olive Oil Tasting Wheel

Recognose® by Dr. Richard Gawel
The only authorized international edition, published exclusively by American Olive Farmer.

A Common Language for Olive Oil Sensory Evaluation

Every experienced olive oil taster eventually discovers that recognizing an aroma is only half the challenge. Describing it accurately—and in a way another taster will immediately understand—requires a shared vocabulary.

Developed by sensory scientist Dr. Richard Gawel, the Recognose® Olive Oil Tasting Wheel has become one of the world's most influential references for describing the aromas, flavors, and sensory characteristics of olive oil.

Used by professional tasting panels, educators, producers, retailers, and enthusiastic home tasters alike, it transforms sensory impressions into a common language that can be understood and shared.

What Is an Olive Oil Tasting Wheel?

Whether evaluating a newly harvested extra virgin olive oil, comparing oils side by side, or leading an educational tasting, the Recognose® Olive Oil Tasting Wheel becomes an indispensable companion.

What's Included

The wheel brings together more than seventy carefully organized sensory descriptors, including:

• Positive aroma and flavor characteristics
• Negative sensory attributes and common defects
• Taste sensations, including bitterness and pungency
• Sensory families that guide users from general impressions to precise observations
• A vocabulary used throughout the international olive oil community

As experience grows, the wheel continues to reveal new relationships among aromas, flavors, and sensory impressions, making it a reference that remains useful for years rather than months.

Who Uses the Recognose® Tasting Wheel?

The Recognose® Olive Oil Tasting Wheel is used by everyone from curious beginners to experienced sensory professionals. It is especially valuable for:

• Olive oil enthusiasts
• Aspiring olive oil tasters
• Olive oil sommeliers
• Professional tasting panels
• Producers and millers
• Retailers conducting guided tastings
• Culinary schools and educators
• Olive oil competitions

Whether tasting your first exceptional extra virgin olive oil or judging hundreds each season, a shared vocabulary makes every evaluation more meaningful.

About Dr. Richard Gawel

Dr. Richard Gawel is widely recognized for his contributions to olive oil sensory science and education. A former leader of the Australian IOC-recognized sensory panel, he has judged international olive oil competitions on five continents, lectured extensively in sensory science, and published more than one hundred scientific papers exploring the sensory evaluation of olive oil and wine.

His Recognose® sensory references have helped educate generations of tasters and remain trusted resources throughout the international olive oil community.

The third photograph was taken by our colleague Nick Coleman, The Oleologist, during the 2024 Los Angeles International Olive Oil Competition. Richard Gawel (right) and Paul Vossen confer between tasting sessions.

Authorized Edition

American Olive Farmer holds the exclusive international rights to publish and distribute Dr. Richard Gawel's Recognose® Olive Oil Tasting Wheel.

This authorized edition faithfully presents Dr. Gawel's original work in a durable 9¼-inch square format designed to complement today's educational programs, tasting kits, and professional sensory environments.

Specifications

• Developer: Dr. Richard Gawel
• Publisher: American Olive Farmer
• Brand: Recognose®
• Rights: Exclusive international publishing and distribution rights
• Format: Full-color printed sensory reference
• Dimensions: 9.25 × 9.25 inches
• Language: English
• Printed in the USA
  

Availability for International Shipments

Please contact Liz at liz@americanolivefarmer.com to discuss shipping options.

Canadian customers should purchase through our authorized Canadian  distributor, Emily Lycopolus, at Olive Oil Critic.