Aged Balsamic Vinegar Worth Waiting For

As we noted in our Gold Medal Vinegar article, all vinegars aren’t created equal. With many commercial vinegar providers swamping the market, many consumer beg to ask “What’s the difference?” And simply go for either the oldest, or most expensive in the hope of grabbing a great tasting and memorable vinegar.

Purchasing vinegar is very similar to quality wine. Knowing your vineyard is imperative, but so is understanding how vinegar is released. Most balsamic vinegars in Australia are released as an aged product, though this can be deceptive as many of these products are blended. Many blends vary from a small percentage of truly aged product mixed with much younger product. Finding a truly unique and aged product is difficult.

A great example of single origin aged vinegar would be Giusti vinegars from Modena, Italy. With these vinegars an advertised 25 year old product would only contain barrel aged vinegar that is 25 years old, with no blending. Giusti also famously release a 50 and 100 year old vinegar, also standing out as a market leader in amazing vinegar.

BALSAMIC’S HIDDEN SECRETS

It is in the wood of ancient barrels in which vinegar ages where the secret of balsamic has always been hidden. Acetaia Giusti is the proud guardian of the largest collection of historical barrels: in the Giusti attics there are 600 barrels from the 1700s and 1800s which are still producing Balsamic Vinegar. The older the barrel, the better the product will be, as the essences from the wood and the balsamic aromas that have matured together over the centuries are united.

The precise complexity of the ageing and the systems of ageing, organised in series of barrels of different sizes and wood types, is one of the key elements that determine the quality of the final product, together with a careful choice of selected raw materials and the system used for their slow cooking.

INTRODUCING… GIUSTI RESERVE

Gourmet Dressing with aged cooked grapes that is out of this world. There are no limits to ageing. Obtained according to the traditional system of “Decanter and Refill”, Giusti Reserve represents the most exclusive collection of the family. Produced every year in extremely limited quantities these liquids are drawn from the most ancient series of casks, owned by the Giusti family since the 1700s.

THE GIUSTI 100

The Giusti 100 is the most exclusive reserve aged over 100 years in the oldest casks of the Giusti family. Characterised by a large aromatic bouquet and an unmistakable sweet and sour taste, it has intense woody and ripe fruit notes. Each bottle is numbered and finished by hand, stored in its precious individual box with a small blown glass pipette. A unique product, decorated with labels of 24-karat gold and printed with the traditional letter-press technique.

— Sold in 100ml. (Limited stock now at ACIT)

THE GIUSTI 50

Extracted every year in limited quantities, Giusti 50 is a special reserve aged over 50 years in the oldest casks of the Giusti family. Characterised by a large aromatic bouquet and an unmistakable sweet and sour taste, it has intense woody and ripe fruit notes. Each bottle is numbered and finished by hand, stored in its precious individual box with a small blown glass pipette. A unique product, decorated with labels of 24-karat gold and printed with the traditional letter-press technique.

— Sold in 100ml. (Limited stock now at ACIT).

Ingredients: Cooked must grapes

Ageing: in the ancient casks of the family, according to the traditional system of “decanter and refill” through series of wooden casks

Serving Suggestions: Risotto, fresh pasta, vegetable soups, eggs, fresh and matured cheeses, white and red meats, fresh fruit salad and desserts

Are you ready to journey through the historicity of the Giusti Balsamic Vinegar of Modena collection? Stay tuned, we can’t wait to share with you what is coming soon to ACIT.