MIAMI, April 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Lucini Italia is proud to announce that three Lucini® extra virgin olive oils received top honors at the third annual Olive Japan International Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition. Founders Reserve Premium Select Extra Virgin Olive Oil® and Limited Reserve® Organic Premium Select Extra Virgin Olive Oil® were awarded with the competition's highest honor, a Premier Medal, and Premium Select Extra Virgin Olive Oil® received a coveted Gold Medal.

Representing the best oils of the competition, only 14 oils were honored with a Premier Medal. Oils that score high enough for the medal are revaluated by a separate, second panel to confirm that they are indeed worthy of Premier Medal status. Not only is Lucini the only Italian produced extra virgin olive oil to receive a Premier Medal, but it did so with two oils.

"We could not be more proud with the results," said David Neuman, president of Lucini. "As in the New York International Olive Oil Competition, Lucini is one of the only recognizable and widely available oils in the US market to receive a medal – let alone two Premier awards. This is further testament to our mission of producing only the best extra virgin olive oil and making it accessible to the American consumer. "

Renowned as one of the toughest and most rigorous international competitions, Olive Japan boasts some of the highest standards of integrity and professionalism for judging criteria and attracts the world's best producers of extra virgin olive oil. An esteemed panel of eighteen international judges evaluated 450 oils in a blind tasting rating each oil's fruitiness, pungency and bitterness and noting any defects that are not allowed in extra virgin olive oil by law.

This extreme honor follows Lucini's double win at the New York International Olive Oil Competition where Lucini Premium Select Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Founders Reserve Premium Select Extra Virgin Olive Oil received gold medals in the medium intensity and robust intensity categories respectfully.

To learn more about Lucini Italia visit www.lucini.com. For more information on the Olive Japan International Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition visit www.olivejapan.com.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140430/82419

SOURCE Lucini Italia