How to select a good Balsamic Vinegar

Bulk of the balsamic vinegar found on the supermarket shelves is of the commercial variety and this is what the consumers are familiar with. Although the authentic balsamico carries a sign of approval and the consortium crest on the label, and as such it is not difficult to identify, it is the price of $110 per 3 ounce bottle which makes it prohibitive. For most people, spending over $110 for 3 ounces of vinegar is simply not an option. Yet, this does not mean that it is not possible to enjoy the flavors of balsamic vinegar at a reasonable price.

The only challenge is to identify a commercial brand which has a right balance of taste, quality and price. Considering the numerous variety of brands with which the markets are flooded, the job becomes daunting. Bottles of balsamic vinegar can fetch as little as $4 for 750 milliliters or as much as $535 for a 3 ounce bottle dating from 1650. Some are sweet, viscous, and woody; others are bitter, overly acidic, or caramel-tasting. A customer cannot gauge these qualities by seeing the bottles on the shelves. Quite often, ageing is considered a good criterion for judging fine balsamic vinegars, although determining the age from a label can be difficult.

According to Italian ministerial decrees, it is illegal to print the age of the vinegar on the label. However, many vinegar labels do make such claims, and here again, the information can be misleading. A “10 year old” vinegar can mean that any amount, even an eyedropper full, of older vinegar was added to the end product, or that the starter must was begun 10 years ago. Ultimately, it is the taste, not the age that determines the quality of the vinegar.

balsamic vinegar, selecting balsamic

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