De Medici Imports, LLC Authentic Artisan Foods

Founded in 1822, A L'Olivier is France's most respected producer of specialty oils and vinegars. The company's quaint shop in the old Marais quarter of Paris serves Parisians who know and appreciate top-quality edibles. (France) www.alolivier.com

The remarkable and historic Badia a Coltibuono estate has been producing exquisite Tuscan wine and olive oil since 1058. Badia a Coltibuono offers several styles of oil and is considered one of the most consistent authentic extra virgin olive oil producers in Italy. (Italy) www.coltibuono.com

Benedetto Cavalieri is one of the leading family-owned companies that produce pasta by old-world artisanal methods. Founded in 1918, Benedetto Calvalieri continues the legacy of making pasta according to the time-honored "Delicate method." (Italy)

Caffe Vergnano is regarded as one of the most prestigious coffee roasters in Italy. Through generations of experience, Vergnano masterfully roasts and blends their coffees using the best beans meticulously selected from 15 different countries. (Italy) www.caffevergnano.com

?For three generations Campanini has produced custom-milled rice at their small-specialized riseria where each production step is under the supervision of a family member. The rice is pure and natural and does not undergo any chemical treatment. (Italy)

The legendary Cavalli family has been producing true balsamico for generations and today Giovanni Cavalli continues as one of the world's most distinguished artisans of Balsamic Tradizonale of Reggio Emilia. The company also makes condiment-quality economical balsamic vinegar intended for daily use. (Italy) ?www.eng.balsamicocavalli.it

On her family property in southeastern Italy, olive trees produce the premium olives used to make the extra virgin olive oil that carries the historic Colonna name. The estate also makes a limited quantity of sublimely flavorful citrus olive oils using lemons, mandarins and bergamots. (Italy) www.marinacolonna.it

The Barbieri family of Modena, for three generations, has been committed to producing the finest Del Cristo Traditional Balsamico (genuine balsamic vinegar). Made according to age-old family customs and conforming to strict D.O.P. (Protected Origins Denomination) guidelines, the Barbieri's masterfully craft, from start to finish, one-of-a-kind balsamico. (Italy) www.acetaiadelcristo.it

Crafted by a small-scale artisan winemaking family in Modena, Italy, De Medici Gastronomia balsamic vinegar is made with local Trebbiano grapes and rare varietal Sangiovese red grapes. De Medici Gastronomia also makes delicately flavored truffle oil and now offers its own golden-green and buttery California extra virgin olive oil. (Italy, California)

Edmond Fallot is one of only a handful of mustard firms still producing authentic artisanal French Dijon. Established in 1840, the company operates the last, great independent Burgundy "Moutarderie" (traditional mustard mill) and is also a leader in crafting innovative flavored mustards. (France) www.fallot.com

Established in 1986 to preserve and promote the French salt marsh heritage, Esprit du Sel produces authentic, rare and traditional Fleur de Sel ("flower of the salt"), "Sel Gris" or Grey sea salt, and a collection of four savory, fragrant salts made with herbs, vegetables and aromatic seaweed. Espirt Du Sel also handcrafts caramels with genuine fleur de sel that are a quintessential French country confection. (France) www.espritdusel.com

Spanish artisans at Flor del Delta hand-harvest daily the very highest quality Flor de Sal (flower of salt) from the Trinidad Salt Pans of Spain, where salt production dates to the 14th century. Available unflavored (natural) and with added spices and herbs created by renowned Spanish chef and restaurateur Joan Roca. (Spain) www.infosa.com

Celeste Bulloni bakes traditional Sardinian crispbread also known as "music paper bread," or Carasatu in her home bakery twice a day. Beautifully packaged and sealed to maintain freshness, the crispbread is available natural or with extra virgin olive oil. (Italy)

La Salamandra of Argentina is internationally recognized for producing the finest authentic Dulce de leche ("sweet from milk") caramel sauce. Pure and creamy, the butterscotch-colored confection is made from three simple ingredients -- milk, sugar and vanilla, it does not contain any additives or preservatives. (Argentina) www.lasalamandra.com

Every bottle of Lérida extra virgin olive oil is produced under the watchful eye of a VEA family member in the Catalonia region of northern Spain. Early-harvest organic Arbequina olives produce the oil's renowned buttery smooth, yet complex taste and delicate fruity aroma. (Spain) www.vea.es

The Les Costes estate in Catalonia, Spain is one of the most representative of the VEA family whose name for generations has represented a tradition of uncompromising quality in the production of extra virgin olive oil. To obtain one liter of this select, vibrant and spicy oil ten to twelve kilos of olives are necessary. (Spain) www.vea.es

VEA of Catalonia is Northern Spain's leading family-owned and operated producer of extra virgin olive oils under the L'Estornell name - a Catalan word for an olive-loving bird, depicted on the label. Also, under the L'Estornell labels are three varieties of exquisite, flavorful table olives: Catalonia (Arbequina), Aragon (Farga Aragon) and Andalusia (Manzanilla), and wild caperberries grow in the sun-drenched, mountainous areas of the VEA family estate in Spain. Lastly, several varieties of Marcona almonds, recognized as the "Queen of almonds," are offered under the L'Estornell brand. (Spain) www.vea.es

Founded in 2003, Marian Arytza (located in Buenos Aires, Argentina) prepares authentic, traditional Argentine sauces and salsas with a remarkably robust flavor. The sauces do not contain any flours, modified starches or stabilizers, nor are additives or artificial preservatives used. (Argentina)

Founded in 1292, the historic family estate of Carlos Falco, Marques de Griñon near Toledo, Spain has ideal climatic conditions for the production of both wine and olive oil. The Marques has dedicated the last thirty years to revolutionizing fine olive oil production resulting in oil that has a gleaming golden hue and pleasant pungency. (Spain) www.pagosdefamilia.com

Founded in 1797, Martin Pouret is the last producer of authentic French Orleans process vinegars - named after the town of Orleans (known as the "city of vinegars"). Martin Pouret's all-inclusive collection of wine and flavored vinegars has high 6% acidity, and rich, irresistible full-bodied aroma and taste. (France) www.martin-pouret.com

Mazet of Montargis and Paris is one of France's most esteemed confectioners with an illustrious history dating to the reign of Louis XIII. Offered in five delectable flavors and exquisitely packaged, Mazet fondues have a velvety smooth texture and rich chocolaty goodness. (France) www.mazetconfiseur.com

Award-winning Olio Santo extra virgin olive oil is one of the most respected oils produced in California by Chef Michael Chiarello of the famed Tra Vigne restaurant in Napa Valley. The early-harvest, cold-pressed oil is blended in small batches to insure consistent quality and full-bodied, assertive olive flavor. (California) www.stonehouseoliveoil.com

Established in 1891 by Bernardo Ortiz de Zarate of Vizcaya, Spain, the world-renowned Ortiz seafood company is today operated by the family's fifth generation of food artisans. The Ortia family upholds the traditional methods upon which the company was founded: local fishermen use pole lines to catch one-by-one the prized Bonito del Norte (Atlantic white tuna) and nets for classic Basque anchovies. (Spain) www.conservasortiz.com

Since 1912, the Gonzalez family has sold top-grade saffron from Albacete, a Spanish city in the famous 'La Mancha' region renown for superior-quality saffron. In addition, the renowned Spanish company also offers extraordinary Pimenton (smoked paprika) in three varieties: bittersweet, hot and sweet. (Spain) www.safinter.com

A small family-owned company, Sapori di Casa handcrafts one of the highest quality egg pastas in Italy using specially designed machinery. The pure, light and tasteful pasta is made into a thin, very soft and porous layer, which allows for short cooking time (1-2 minutes). (Italy) www.saporidicasa.com

The Bernardino family-owned and operated Italian company T & C -- Temptation ("Temptation") is famous for preserving truffles from Acqualagna using their own unique and modern techniques. Tentazioni products offer present-day home cooks the same elegant and refined truffle taste (year-round) that has been enjoyed for centuries by emperors, popes, princes and nobles. (Italy) www.truffle.it

In southwestern Tuscany, nestled in rolling hills above the sea, lays the estate of Countess Romana Bicocchi Pichi where the highly prized Tenuta del Numerouno is produced. The mature olives are harvested entirely by hand and cold pressed in a traditional antique mill on the premises resulting in unfiltered oil with a unique balance of mild flavor and intense fruity aroma. (Italy)

Established in the 1950s, TerraMater's premium early-harvest-style Chilean oil comes from the country's oldest family-owned wine and oil estate located above sea on the Mataquito River south of Santiago, Chile. TerraMater also offers delicately flavored, nutty-rich avocado oil made from the ripe pulp of Chilean-grown Hass avocados. (Chile) www.terramater.cl

Having an international reputation for creating condiments with perfect balance, style and taste, VEA of Catalonia is Northern Spain's leading family-owned and operated producer of extra virgin olive oils, olives, caperberries, and vinegar. In addition, the company also offers finely textured and flavorful, Marcona almonds in three varieties: natural, lightly salted, and flavored with spices. (Spain) www.vea.es

Chef Bottura has applied his creative skills to the production of Villa Manodori extra virgin olive oil, Villa Manodori Essenziale, a collection of oils made from 100% natural plant oils combined with extra virgin olive oil, and an assortment of authentically-crafted balsamic vinegars. Made in the artisanal style and produced in limited quantities, these versatile condiments are enjoyed throughout the world. (Italy) www.osteriafrancescana.it