What Makes A Vinegar Balsamic?
Balsamic vinegar is made from sweet white grapes, primarily from the Modena or Reggio Emilia regions of Italy. The grapes are cooked down to concentrate the flavors and then aged for a minimum of 12 years. During the aging process, the vinegar is transferred between a series of wooden barrels, which infuse the vinegar with flavors and aromas from the wood. Balsamic vinegar must also meet certain acidity and sugar content specifications to be classified as such. The result is a rich, viscous vinegar with a complex flavor profile that is both sweet and tangy.