How Do You Make Balsamic Vinegar From Scratch?
Balsamic vinegar is made from grape must (juice) that has been cooked and reduced then aged in wooden barrels for several years. To make balsamic vinegar from scratch, start by crushing fresh grapes and straining out the juice. Cook the grape juice over low heat until it reduces by half. Pour the reduced juice into a large glass jar and add a small amount of vinegar as a starter culture. Cover the jar with a cloth and let it ferment in a warm, dark place for at least a month. Transfer the fermented mixture to aged wooden barrels and store them in a dark place, topping them up periodically with more boiled and cooled grape juice, until desired acidity and flavor are achieved. The longer it ages, the more complex and rich the flavor becomes.