True Blue.. Balsamic Vinegar FWT

There are many forms of balsamic vinegar on supermarket shelves these days. The most industrial forms can be made anywhere with a variety of ingredients that may or may not contain concentrated grape must, wine vinegar, sugar and caramel coloring. For this reason, it is often difficult to grasp the differences between a $10 bottle of balsamic vinegar and a $40 bottle of balsamic or even a $150 bottle.

The easiest way to understand the nuances of different balsamic vinegars is by taking a look at Balsamico Tradizionale from two small provinces in Italy: Modena and Reggio-Emilia. This, the highest quality balsamic, representing the purest form of the condiment, is produced only in these two provinces. Each province has a certification body, which certifies and grades the traditional balsamics into different levels of quality.

The certified levels of balsamic vinegar are extra-vecchio