Balsamic vinegar

Balsamic vinegar is like wine – there are gradations from rot gut to sublime. The best balsamic vinegar is aged and must come from 1 of 2 areas in Italy, either Reggio Emilia or Modena.  I haven't bou ght the aged stuff - which is quite expensive.  But I do buy brands made in Modena that I find at local stores, including a white basalmic.  They are true wine vinegars, but not aged.  Someday, when I'm rich and famous, I'll buy the real stuff for $25 a bottle. But for now I settle for the imported decent, commercial grade at $4-8 a bottle.   The brands I now have are Bella-Famiglia, Monari Federzoni and Alessi (The Alessi pictured below is a white balsamic; the other two are dark or red balsamic vinegars.)  I’ve used other brands, including Colavita.  You can find these "commercial grade" balsamic vinegars in grocery stores.  I even found Colavita, and Monari Federzoni online at Walmart!  A bottle lasts and while they may not be truly as sublime as an aged balsamic supposed would be, they impart memorable flavor to your salad dressings, sauces and lots else.

Update on Monday, July 2, 2012 at 3:48PM by motherwouldknow

White balsamic is milder and lighter in color than red balsamic.