Balsamic vinegar is a top food trend worldwide and can generally be classified into several grades varying in quality and price.

Traditional: Traditional Balsamic Vinegar is the highest grade available and is dark, sweet, and thick like a syrup. Aged between 12-25 years in wooden barrels to develop its unique flavor, these balsamic vinegars are produced in the Modena or Reggio Emilia regions of Italy using Trebbiano or Lambrusco grapes. Traditional balsamic vinegars carry the labels “Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Reggio Emilia” or “Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena.”

Commercial: Made from wine vinegar, mass produced and aged for a minimum amount of time, commercial balsamic vinegars often have added caramel coloring, thickeners, and flavors. These vinegars have a uniquely sweet and sour flavor suitable for salad dressings, marinades, and sauces. U.S. made commercial balsamic vinegar cannot carry the Modena name.

Condiment: Balsamic vinegars made using the same techniques as Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena but produced outside of that region may be labeled as a condiment. These vinegars are typically made using the traditional standards but aged for fewer than 12 years or otherwise do not fit the stringent requirements to be called Traditional. Condiment grade balsamic vinegars may carry the labels “Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PGI,” “condimento balsamico,” “saba balsamica,” or “saba di mosto cotto.”

Saba: An additional category, saba is an Italian syrup made from cooking down grape must (grape juice containing the skins, seeds, and stems of the fruit) Saba vinegars provide a depth of flavor like traditional balsamic vinegar but is not nearly as expensive because it is not aged.

Balsamic Vinegar on Caprese Salad
Balsamic Vinegar on Crusted Goat Cheese

Amazing over fresh fruits or vanilla ice cream, or as a condiment for your steak, duck breast, pate, or cheese just to name a few.

While we offer our ChefZone customers many amazing balsamic vinegars, we are especially excited to feature the Villa Mandori brand. Developed by three-Michelin star chef Massimo Bottura, Villa Mandori balsamic vinegar is made with Trebbiano grapes grown in Italy. The juice is aged in oak, chestnut, and juniper barrels which yields a rich, dark balsamic with an intense aroma and syrupy consistency. Produced in limited quantities, ChefZone is offering both the traditional Aceto Balsamico di Modena and Dark Cherry.

Considered one of the top 50 chefs in the world, Chef Bottura has a strong passion for the products of his native Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, and this balsamic vinegar is a celebration of local grapes aged in the ancient tradition!

Villa Manodori
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Fondo Montebello Castello di Maranello

16.91 oz. | #177166

Dark brown in color, it possesses a remarkable density and syrup like sensation. Its aromatic flavor gives this balsamic vinegar exceptional versatility, allowing it to adapt to a wide variety of uses. Fondo Montebello Castello di Maranello blends perfectly with all red meats, game, or fish and is great on fruit and sweets, making any dish you add it to refined and intense.

Fondo Montebello Castello di Maranello

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Villa Manodori Artigianale Balsamic Vinegar

8.5 oz | #177126

This artisanal balsamic vinegar begins with Italian grown grapes which are reduced into must, and then aged in wood barrels for up to  12 years. Simply called ‘Artigianale’ or ‘Handmade’ this balsamic is made in limited quantities, adding a rich consistency to sauces and marinades. Drizzle over risotto, sliced Parmigiano-Reggiano, or combine with high quality olive oil and drizzle over tossed greens such as arugula and radicchio, Artigianale can also be used for cooking as it is designed to hold up to heat without turning bitter.

Villa Manodori Artigianale Balsamic Vinegar

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Villa Manodori Dark Cherry Balsamic

8.5 oz | #177127

Villa Manodori Dark Cherry is another expression of Chef Massimo Bottura’s extraordinary talent for elevating the best ingredients. Combining the Modenese tradition of aceto balsamico with the prized sour cherry of Vignola, Italy, this is balsamic vinegar for cherry lovers. Rich and viscous, like Artigianale, but aged in dark cherry wood, Villa Manodori Dark Cherry Balsamico perfectly glazes game, pork, or duck.

Villa Manodori Dark Cherry Balsamic

Visit our Specialty Showroom for more information.