Olive Oil Masterclass in Tallinn: Greek Sommelier Teaches You to Recognize Quality Oil on 10 October

On 10 October, a practical olive oil masterclass will take place in Tallinn with Greek olive grower, agronomist and EVOO sommelier Margeta Sevasti.
In a small group with just 10 participants, you can learn how to recognize high-quality extra virgin olive oil, what to look for when tasting it, and how to make a more informed choice among dozens of bottles in a shop.

Is more expensive olive oil always better? What does extra virgin actually mean? Is bitterness or a slightly peppery aftertaste a bad sign, or might it indicate quality?

These questions will be answered in a rather unusual format in Tallinn on 10 October. On Valge tn 4c, a practical olive oil masterclass will take place, led by Margeta Sevasti. The organizer describes the event as the first olive oil masterclass of its kind in Estonia.

Who is Margeta Sevasti?

Margeta Sevasti is not coming to Estonia simply to present a product. She is an agronomist, olive grower and EVOO sommelier based in Karystos, Greece. According to Agrelid, she is involved in growing olives and producing and packaging olive oil.

According to the Piletilevi event description, Margeta represents the fourth generation of olive growers in her family. In the masterclass, she will also talk about the story of the Agrelid family and how the olive trees planted by her great-great-grandfather Panagis gave rise to a tradition the family continues to this day.

What happens at the olive oil masterclass?

During the one-hour session, the journey of olive oil is explored, from the olive grove to the finished bottle. Photos and videos show how trees are grown and cared for, how the harvest takes place, and what stages the oil must pass through before reaching consumers.

Olive oil tasting—not just trying it

One of the central elements of the masterclass is the tasting. Participants learn how to taste olive oil correctly, how to assess its aroma and flavour, and which characteristics may indicate high-quality oil.

Margeta will also bring professional olive oil tasting glasses and the necessary equipment. So this is not simply an opportunity to try some oil—the aim is to learn to notice differences during tasting that usually go unnoticed.

Why are polyphenols discussed in connection with olive oil?

The masterclass also covers the polyphenols found in olive oil. However, when it comes to health claims, it is worth being precise and distinguishing marketing from officially authorised claims.

For consumers, this is a good example of why olive oil should not be judged solely by its price, the appearance of the bottle, or words such as “premium” and “natural”. Quality is based on more specific characteristics, which are explained in greater detail during the masterclass.

Who might this masterclass be suitable for?

You do not have to be a chef, sommelier or food expert. The format is more suited to people who want to get more out of a tasting than usual.

• for those who love good food and gastronomy;
• for admirers of Mediterranean cuisine and Greece;
• for people who want to make more informed choices when buying olive oil;
• for those who enjoy small, more personal masterclasses;
• for anyone who wants to learn to distinguish between flavour, aroma and quality.

The format is genuinely intimate: there are only 10 people in each group. There are five separate sessions throughout the day, and each meeting lasts about an hour. At the end, there is also time for questions and conversation with Margeta.

Olive oil masterclass in Tallinn – practical information

Something different for a change from a typical Saturday

Tallinn’s event calendar has plenty of concerts, festivals and large fairs, but a professional olive oil tasting with a Greek olive grower and sommelier is a much rarer format.

Of course, you can’t become an olive oil expert in an hour, but it may be more than enough to help you ask the right questions the next time you’re standing in a shop in front of dozens of similar bottles and make a slightly more informed choice than simply going by an attractive label.

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