The Beauty of Balsamic

What does it mean to be Italian? It means to care, be patient, and have discriminating taste where nothing but the best can be acceptable and to expect beauty in fashion, engineering, food and in craftsmanship. You can see it all in Modena Italy where they make the finest cars and black gold, balsamic vinegar. The very special vinegar begins at the vineyard. It is the skin of the grape that gives wine its color and vinegar the texture. Italians make good lovers because they are patient and savor every moment together. A good balsamic grape vinegar will take 25 years to be worthy of consumption.

The Northern Italian city is called the home of black gold because some of the most expensive vinegars are stored and produced there. They also make great cars there too. Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati are at home there. Balsamic vinegar can be so expensive that at one time it was only given as a gift to royalty. The making of the very special vinegar is a family affair that goes back to many generations just to make something that is ready to consume today.

The grapes are heated for 24 hours and then put in giant vats for at least two years. As it reduces in a process called trivazzo, it is poured into increasingly smaller barrels made of various woods like ash and chestnut all of which give the liquid different flavoring. There is a balsamic that has been aging for 100 years and retails for more than $1,000. Many generations of families take care of the product and are patient for the best results.

Balsamic is so important to the city that there is a giant sculpture of a drop of it sitting in the middle of a traffic circle there. Yes you can buy some balsamic for 5 or 10 dollars at the supermarket but you can also buy a Fiat for a lot less than a Ferrari, Lamborghini and a Maserati. The vinegar is more than just a food. It is Italian. A long laborious very special product worth waiting for.