Hands down the best balsamic vinegar I have ever tasted!
Balsamic Vinegar has been produced in Modena, Italy, since the Middle Ages and is now famous throughout the world. It is one of the true stars of Italian cuisine.
Traditionally, balsamic vinegar is used as a dressing, as an accompaniment to Parmesan cheese and to enhance steaks, eggs and grilled fish.
It’s also surprisingly delicious with strawberries, pears and ice cream.
In more recent years, balsamic vinegar has been introduced into a far wider selection of recipes and foods. For example, balsamic vinegar is now used as a tasty and healthier alternative to soya sauce with sushi – it’s especially popular with parents as it allows children to enjoy the sushi experience without the high salt content of soy sauce.
Why not add a splash to some bolognese sauce, Sierre Leone style (recipe by Bintu from Recipes from a Pantry), drizzle it over a strawberry nutella pizza (by Emily Leary aka A Mummy Too for Avon) or infuse some cacao nibs in it for a rich, chocolate flavoured drizzle for salads (by Helen of Fuss Free Flavours).
My own children love balsamic vinegar drizzled in olive to dip their bread into. I can refill the little ceramic dipping bowl several times throughout the course of a meal to keep them happy!
Until recently I thought balsamic vinegar was just balsamic vinegar, without much variation between brands. It’s one of my favourite vinegars and I mostly use it in salad dressings or drizzled over strawberries and sliced avocado with plenty of freshly ground black pepper.
I’ve now learned that there are different qualities of balsamic vinegar.
Due Vittorie, Italy’s favourite Balsamic Vinegar, have two different products for sale in the UK through Ocado:
- the Tradizionale a high-end luxury balsamic for special occasions RRP £49.99 for 100 ml
- the Oro, for everyday use RRP £9.99 for 250 ml
£50 for a bottle of vinegar!? What makes this vinegar so special?
The proof was in the tasting.
Earlier this week I cracked open the corks on both bottles of balsamic vinegar and did a blind taste test with our meal for two adults and five children (we had guests for dinner). Several little dipping bowls were laid out onto the table with balsamic drizzled onto a good quality olive oil (I use Pomora). When I poured out the Tradizionale a little drip landed on my finger. I licked it off. Oh my goodness gracious me – what a sweet, gorgeous flavour! With a perfect balance of sweet and sharp, and a full, rich flavour, this vinegar immediately became the best balsamic vinegar I have ever tasted. The Oro was delicious as well, but with the familiar vinegar kick I’m accustomed to with balsamic. Both vinegars were thick, almost syrupy, compared to my usual brand of vinegar, I noticed as I poured them each into the oil.
By the end of the meal I could understand why people would want to treat themselves to an expensive bottle of vinegar. At £50 for only 100ml the rest of this bottle will be reserved for very special occasions, but now that I have a taste for it… I don’t know if anything else will do!
To find out more about balsamic vinegar I had the chance to interview the Italian Export Manager of Due Vittorie, Giacomo Cinelli.
1. What exactly is balsamic vinegar? How is it made?
Balsamic Vinegar of Modena is created as the result of the special fermentation and aging of two ingredients; wine vinegar and cooked must, made from seven exclusive varieties of grape (including Lambrusco, Sangiovese and Trebbiano). And it is only in the small Italian provinces of Modena and Reggio Emilia, with their unique combination of climatic and environmental factors, that this special magic is created.
2. I understand balsamic vinegar has been produced in Modena since the Middle Ages.Can you tell me a bit about the history of the vinegar and Due Vittorie?
The Italian Renaissance witnessed a culinary revolution with a host of new recipes appearing. Balsamic was used to sweeten and enhance many of the latest dishes and the towns of Modena and Reggio Emilia soon became famous for the jealously guarded and rigorous process they used to create their fine Balsamic Vinegar. And it’s a process that’s virtually unchanged to this day.
Due Vittorie actually only started to produce balsamic vinegar in the early 2000. However, Mr. Maletti, the owner, had previously worked in the production of Lambrusco wine – one of 7 vineyards accepted for the production of Balsamic Vinegar (indeed, one of the best). From his Lambrusco experience, saw the opportunity to produce a premium, dense balsamic vinegar. In just a few years this has become very successful both in Italy and abroad.
3. What are the differences (besides price) between the Oro and the Tradizionale?
Tradizionale is a DOP Balsamic Vinegar of Modena. It is made only with cooked grape must. There is no wine vinegar. The product is then aged minimum 12 years (Affinato) in small wooden barrels. Our Oro is an IGP Balsamic Vinegar of Modena and it contains high quantity of grape must and a small quantity of wine vinegar.
4. When taste testing, what should we be looking out for? Do you have any tasting notes?
The Oro should have the right balance of sweet and sour. You should feel the sweetness of the must with a slight cherry aftertaste, and a hint of the acidity of the vinegar.
5. What is your favourite way to enjoy balsamic vinegar?
I  love it on many dishes. I use it on salads, and always as an appetizer with Parmesan cheese. I love it on ice cream too. If you haven’t experienced this combination, you really must try it. Also, in recent years I’ve started using Balsamic on Sushi – it’s a flavoursome and less salty alternative to soya sauce.
You can find out more about Due Vittorie by visiting their website and following them on Twitter and Facebook.
GIVEAWAY
However you choose your Balsamic Vinegar – the Due Vittorie Tradizionale is reported to be one of the world’s most iconic condiments, and the Due Vittorie Oro is an excellent, affordable alternative for everyday use. For your chance to win a bottle of the Oro, fill in the Rafflecopter form below!
HOW TO ENTER
For your chance to win a 250 ml bottle of Due Vittorie Oro Balsamic Vinegar RRP £9.99 enter using the Rafflecopter form below. Come back and tweet about the giveaway every day for more chances to win!
TERMS & CONDITIONS
This giveaway is open to UK entries only. Entrants must be age 18 or over. The winner will need to respond within 7 days of being contacted; failure to do this may result in another winner being selected.
The prize is offered and provided by Due Vittorie. The prize is to win a 250 ml bottle of Due Vittorie Oro Balsamic Vinegar RRP £9.99. There is no cash alternative and the prize is not transferable.
There is no entry fee and no purchase is necessary to enter this giveaway. The promoter (Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary) reserves the right to cancel or amend the giveaway and these terms and conditions without notice.
Entry into our giveaways will be deemed as acceptance of these terms and conditions.
If you need some help using Rafflecopter, here’s a quick clip to show you how. Rafflecopter will pick the winner at random from all the entries received. I will be verifying entries and any automated entries or those who have claimed they have made the mandatory blog post comment and really haven’t will be disqualified. It’s mandatory!
Closing date is midnight on Monday 29 June 2015 (GMT) and the winner will be announced shortly afterwards.
Don’t forget to visit my Giveaways page for some other fab prizes!
Loquax and The Prizefinder greats site for finding more competitions to enter too.
OTHER RECIPES WITH BALSAMIC VINEGAR
Lamb Shanks with Red Wine & Balsamic Vinegar by Kavey Eats
Balsamic Roasted Strawberry and White Chocolate Layer Cake by Jen’s Food
Avocado with Prawns and Balsamic Vinegar by Fab Food 4 All
Tomato, Red Onion & Goats Cheese Salad with a Balsamic Dressing by Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary
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Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary was sent a bottle of each of the Due Vittorie Tradizionale and Oro balsamic vinegars for review. All opinions expressed are our own (unless otherwise specified!). This post does contain an affiliate link to Pomora. If you make a purchase through this link we will earn a small commission and you will be helping to support our family. This is not a paid post.
Spelunking in Burra, Shetland
With salad
On salad and also for dipping fresh bread in
I make a yummy balsamic vinegar and maple syrup sauce to go with lamb chops
In salad dressings 🙂
on my chips 🙂
With garlic bread
I use it on salads, but after reading the post, I’d like to try some on icecream!
I love it with tomatoes! Such an amazing combination!
With bread
On a salad
I love it with a crisp salad
I love to add it to pasta.
with a salad
On my chips
In oil for dipping.
As a salad dressing
with yummy chicken salad
I use it in salad dressings and with oil and bread!
I enjoy with crunchy fresh bread ♥♥
Spaghetti Sauce
as a dressing
I love it in oil for dipping bread in. mmmm
I like it drizzled over spinach.
I love making a dressing with it to put on salads and dip bread in it
In a fancy bowl with fresh homemade bread for dipping. Yummy
With bread and olive oil
I slowly cook red peppers and red onions in olive oil then quickly fry them off with balsamic to glaze them. Amazingly good!
On crunchy chips
Love mixing with olive oil to dip bread in, & using as a salad dressing
I love to dip my ciabatta in it
I mix with olive oil to make a super simple salad dressing. Drizzled over rocket, tomato, ciabatta and mozzarella is currently my favourite thing to drizzle it on.
I love to reduce it and use it as a drizzle on my pizzas, salads and tarts.
I love it on fresh spinach leaves
Drizzled across vegetable puff pastry tarts
In a bowl to dip bread in and on salads as part of a dressing
in a bowl to dip bread in!
On salads
on dryroasted vvine tomatoes and goats cheese
drizzled on salad with dipping bread
on bread or chips
on salads 🙂
i like it with a simple salad.
With Olve Oil and baguette
Definitely drizzled over a nice salad.
A drizzle over strawberries with a sprimkle of black pepper
With roasted vegetables
in a salad
On salads or drizzled on crusty bread
With crusty bread and olive oil
Salads, have used it for years, but like the idea of trying it on ice cream
I love it on salad or I use it to dip bread in with a little olive oil
Just a drizzle on my salad x
I mainly have it on salads
on a salad
I like it on fresh homemade salads
With beetroot baked in the oven in olive oil, balsamic vinegar & thyme – they are delicious served as a hot veg with steak x
I generally mix it with olive oil and maybe some black pepper to put on salads.
On salad
Simply with Olive oil and then dunking warm ciabatta in it
I have never tried it
Soaked up with a home made fluffy white roll
On salads mainly.
I have a bit of a balsamic addiction and use it almost every day. My favourite at the minute is just dipping great big fat juicy strawberries into it.
on a nice crisp salad
salad x
In salads particularly with tomato and basil.
drizzled over mozzarella and watermelon…mmm
With Olive Oil and bread dipped in it
Drizzled over a cesear salad!
I have never tried it
On salads
Fresh bread with olive – oil – yum!
I enjoy balsamic vinegar on my salads, it enhances the taste of the lettuce with little or no calories.
I love it on salad without oil to save on calories but not flavour.
with bread and oil
either with pasta or drizzled over salad!
Drizzled over salad
Drizzle over green salad leaves
As a base for salad dressings or on its own as a dressing in its own right
drizzled on rocket
In extra virgin olive oil with some bread to dip into
With oil and crunchy bread and also as a reduction with beetroot!
I like balsamic vinegar on salads. I’ve heard it is also good with desserts, which I might try if I got a good quality one.
I use it with brown sugar, ginger and garlic to cook mince meat in. It makes a lovely tangy sauce that is great served with mashed potatoes.
On a salad or in sauces.
With fresh crusty bread!
a nice summer salad mmm
On salads and pasta.
Over everything!
i love it on my cheese toasty. is that wrong ??
Love it on kale. Basically most salad stuff it makes taste a whole lot better though
I like it on my salads and chips
I use it mainly in dipping bowls with lots of different foods to dip and I also love it drizzled over my salads
Really good quality Balsamic Vinegar is lovely on Strawberries.
In non-alcoholic Pimms.
I enjoy with virgin olive oil and drizzled on a salad or as a dipping for bread
As a dressing on feta salad
with salad leaves
with fresh baked slices of bread
on salad.
I’ve never tried balsamic vinegar before, but would like to.
On a salad
In a vinaigrette dressing
On a salad
on melted cheddar cheese
On pretty much anything! I am positively in love with the stuff…… from roasting to drizzling to dressings!
Sprinkled on Strawberries
I’ve never tried it so I don’t know! But I would try it on a salad 🙂
On a salad
i like it with salad xx
Sprinkled over some vegetables which you then roast in the oven – delicious!
I love it drizzled on tomatoes in particular.
On a salad
with olive oil & a rocket salad
With bread and oil
on a salad or with seeded crusty bread to dip in x
Drizzled over a grilled peach,rocket bacon and blue cheese salad
With olive oil and dipping bread!
With olive oil and dipping bread!
I love it in a dish, and to be dipped in by bread.
on summer salads x
used as a salad dressing
On salad
On tomato salads, and love it on chips x
I like it with a good olive oil on salad, but my kids like to dip their pasta in it!!
Salad dressing 🙂
on my salads xx
with salad and salmon x
One of the most versatile ingredients in my kitchen!
I enjoy over salad espically Spinach
with a salad
Lovely, over a salad x
Mixed into tuna mayo or added to tomato pasta sauce. It’s my favourite vinegar!
On salad
With salad 🙂
On salad
On crusty bread with good olive oil and salt!
On my strawberries
On a yummy mixed leaf salad
we drizzle it with a spinach salad and scallops
Over salads and strawberries!
drizzled over a mozzerella and tomato stack
on my salad and spelt
on bread
On salad with a good quality olive oil.
dripped over a salad
I like it mixed with my salad
I’ve used it for years when making home made strawberry ice cream. My husband nearly had a fit when he saw me adding it to the mixture the first time I made it but once he tasted the end result he was hooked!
I liked it drizzled over baked goats cheese on top of a slice of crispy bread
oil and bread
I love it mixed with a good olive oil to dip bread in
I love to use a quality balsamic in dressings and dips
Love it best with mozzarella, avocado, tomato, basil and olive oil with some bread to dip in the balsamic and oil.
I mix it with honey and mustard to make a yummy salad dressing.
With olive oil and nice fresh bread
I love it in a salad dressing, but have found that it makes a real difference when I make a tomato sauce for pasta, really delicious 🙂
I like mine on salads!
Love it in salads
drizzled of a huge summer salad. It’s particularly yummy with beetroot!
I really like it on strawberries. Also bread dipped in. Gorgeous. 🙂
On my salads mixed with a bit of olive oil, Italian herbs and mustard
I love a reduced balsamic and raspberry dressing – it works really well with avocado.
I love it for dipping bread in with oil / as a salad dressing 🙂
I like it on bread
with oil and bread thankyou
Love it with seedy bread and oil – delicious
With fresh bread and olives
With hot fresh bread, delicious!
I love it with oil and bread… yummy!
Love balsamic with roasted peppers and goats cheese on crusty warm ciabatta….yum!
I enjoy it on salads, especially chicken or tuna!
Balsamic Vinegar is one of my favourite condiments, especially the really deep flavoured fruity ones 🙂
on salad
Drizzled on baked potatoes instead of butter 🙂
On a rocket salad!
love it with olive oil and bread
On Pasta xxx
I enjoy balsamic in most things, dressings, pasta etc. but nothing beats it mixed with proper olive oil and fresh baked bread yum!
I love balsamic with freshly made crusty bread & a pot of oil too
I enjoy my Balsamic vinegar on salad