Ingredients

Balsamic Vinegar

The queen of vinegar production is balsamic vinegar. Very popular now, true balsamic vinegar is made from the Trebbiano grape. The rich brown color comes from being aged in wood casks, often for decades. Although it is made from grapes, balsamic vinegar isn’t produced from wine (as are most vinegars). The authentic product may not contain any wine vinegars - the grape juice is simply reduced and then made directly into vinegar.

The closest that you will find to a "star rating" is by the consortiums of Modena and Reggio Emilia. These are the only guarantee of authentic aged balsamic vinegar, as both of these groups have strict rules of inclusion in the consortium that relies on strict guidelines of quality.

The Modena consortium designates their products by bottling in a squat round bottle and one of two capsules to seal the cork. A white capsule indicates vinegar that is at least 12 years old and gold foil is for vintage vinegars – those that have aged at least 25 years and carry the designation extravecchio.

Reggio Emilla vinegars are put up in a bottle with a long thin neck and have a round label to designate the vintage. Red seals, like the white capsule, indicate at least 12 years of ageing. Silver seals are for 18 years and older and gold for those vintages of 25 years or more.

The thin balsamic vinegar that is on most store shelves today is a manufactured by combining conventional white wine vinegars with colorings and flavorings.