balsamic vinegar - the best?

Dimple's Mom · August 2008

What is eveyone's preference for a really good balsamic vinegar?

Jeffersonian · August 2008

If you get real balsamic vinegar, not the stuff at the grocery store, it's heavenly. But it will cost you upwards of $40-50 for a few ounces of it.

Needless to say, I just use the grocery store stuff...I think it's Alessi.

Zippylip · August 2008

It should come from Modena, Italy, & the older the better (depending on what you are doing with it, the older, the thicker & more concentrated, like syrup)

JimS · August 2008

I agree with zippy,cost more but the aged is a world of difference in taste.

Fidel · August 2008

I use Fini Modena gold label. It may seem expensive, but just a dab'll do ya.

For mixing salad dressings, marinades, etc. I use the bulk Kirkland brand from Costco, and it is better than most of the equivalently priced stuff from main groceries in my opinion.

Dimple's Mom · August 2008

Thanks, I'll look for that in town tomorrow. If I can't find it, I'll look on the web. I was to splurge on some of the good stuff for special dishes and occasions and I will continue to use the store stuff for everyday type use.

deepsouth · August 2008

Zippylip wrote:

It should come from Modena, Italy, & the older the better (depending on what you are doing with it, the older, the thicker & more concentrated, like syrup)

i've got some 15 and some 25 year, last time i was in modena. i haven't the heart to break open the 25 year yet.

Morro Bay Rich · August 2008

Gwen,

Unfortunately, the REAL stuff comes in a VERY small bottle and runs from $100-$180 per. We still have most of ours from 4 years ago. It was so expensive we are afraid to use it.

Cooks Illustrated did a tasting and came up with 365 Brand from Whole Foods as being one of the best for everyday stuff.

Regards,
Rich

Dimple's Mom · August 2008

So what are the brands? If you open it, it'll still be good for nearly forever, right? What do you use it on?

Dimple's Mom · August 2008

What have you used it on? What is the brand?

You should use it!

Fidel · August 2008

Just make sure it is the genuine article. It should have a seal from Modena.

The stuff I use is aged 12 yrs (I believe). I bought it at Williams-Sonoma about a year ago. 250ml bottle ran upwards of $60. Definitely not the best out there, but it is some good stuff.

Fini makes some of the cheaper everyday stuff. There is a ton of research on the net, so if you are planning to spend a mint on something like this it is best to educate yourself so you know when you plunk down the cash you are getting what you are paying for.

deepsouth · August 2008

i got mine in the market in modena. it is "famiglia bertani" i think that five years ago the (then) 20 year cost me about $65 for a 100ml bottle. the (then) 10 year cost me about $55 (iirc) for a half litre.

Smokey · August 2008

This one is reasonably priced and quite nice. You can spend more (as much as four times the amount and get a far better product), but this is a very good "enrty level", Gourmet/high end balsamic vinegar.

http://www.avantisavoia.com/index.cfm/m/10/fuseaction/store5products.productDetail/productID/285/merchantId/0/departmentId/0/categoryId/24

thirdeye · August 2008

Chubby turned me on to Villa Manodori Aceto Balsamico, and I really like it. It's good enough to use on ice cream, fruit, avocados and all the regular stuff you you would normally use balsamic on. It's an excellent value and I like it better than some of the $150 a bottle stuff. The last time I bought it I got 2 bottles for $75.

Pyro · August 2008

I buy an excellent 15 year old balsamic from Devero. It price is $22 for a 375 ml bottle - quite reasonable for the good stuff. Web site: http://www.davero.com/ They have great olive oils as well. They are Mario Battali's olive oil of choice.

WADoug · August 2008

Interesting question and great responses. Your question, as in the subject line, was what is best, but your question was, what is a really good balsamic vinegar. I'm way behind this curve, but for what I do, the balsamic vinegar at Costco works for me, as really good. I'm sure it's not the best - most certainly not, but I like it. Don't know wine, don't know olive oil, don't know vinegar, no apologies, I just want the food to taste good.

Broc · August 2008

I'm not an expert... but have done quite a bit of researching [on line] re: balsamic. The grocery store stuff is "fake" balsamic... That's why it's so cheap.

A product from Modena should be appropriately marked -- often hand numbered -- and will be at least 12 years old. Fifteen years is considered true "entry level."

Use the "good stuff" [25+-y-o] literally drop-by-drop. Yes, it is vinegar -- but also incredibly sweet.

Have fun!

~ Broc

[Deleted User] · August 2008

Thirdeye- Can you post a link to where you can get that Balsamic? I used to have it bookmarked but lost it.

When Chubby first posted this everyone who checked it out thought it was great. Some said it was every bit as good as the $100+/bottle stuff. It was also referred to as Balsamic "Crack" because it's so good!

last time I tried to get it they were sold out.

thirdeye · August 2008

Here you go Bob. iGourmet is where I got my last 2 bottles....I see the price has gone up a tick. Also Google "igourmet coupons", you have to weed through a few but you can find an additional 5% to 10% online coupons, this will at least take some of the hit off shipping.

http://www.igourmet.com/shoppe/shoppe.aspx?cat=Vinegars&subcat=Balsamic+Vinegar

balsamic vinegar - the best?

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