The finest balsamico vinegars have no other ingredients added to them - only the trebbiano grapes. Lesser ones will include brown sugar or caramel to simulate the sweetness of the balsamic vinegars. If a company creates a "traditional" aged balsamic vinegar, they will also produce a less expensive, but high quality vinegar as well.

View our free Balsamic Recipes.
Oil and vinegar Balsamic Dressings.

Balsamic vinegar is Created by reduced white grapes (typically, trebbiano grapes) that has been boiled down to about 50% ("must") and fermenting that into alcohol. It is then once again fermented to balsamico vinegar, with a slow aging process done in oak casks that concentrates the flavors. The flavor is heightened over years, with the balsamic vinegar being kept in fine oak barrels, becoming sweet, thick and very concentrated in flavour. Some aged balsamico vinegar is added to the "must" to create a more complex and intricate taste, and to add acidity.

The thick syrup is transferred to oak casks to ferment in the open air and then begins the long dehydration and aging process that makes aged balsamic vinegar unusual. Balsamic vinegar does not degenerate after opening as oxygen is part of the aging process, you can treasure your finest bottle and use it on special occasions. Do not heat or cook balsamic vinegar as it will ruin the flavor.

As a key component in vinaigrette dressings, balsamic blends very well with olive oil. Olive oil-balsamic vinaigrette is outstanding with scallops, artichokes and asparagus. A balsamic salad dressing does well with winter vegetables such as carrots, turnips, squash and sweet potatoes, as well as spring mixed greens or baby spinach.

The Mediterranean diet, characterized by cuisine such as Italian food, has been gaining popularity in North America, where the consumption of traditional Mediterranean foods, such as cold pressed olive oil and balsamic vinegar, has been increasing. Many people are finding this diet as a healthy alternative to fatty foods and deep fried food preparation.

The Wine News Magazine Vinegars Single-Varietal - - California's - Whisk in the olive Cabernet and stir the dressing into the pasta salad. - 1/4 cup St. Helena Balsamic Vinegar; 1 tablespoon St. Helena Aged oil Vinegar -

Cheese, Specialty Food and Gourmet Gift Baskets: igourmet We love it as a marinade for a or as a dressing for poultry, salad. Pairs perfectly with spicy foods, - Select Extra Virgin Olive Oil & Balsamic Vinegar -

Baskets Francisco Gourmet Gift San San Francisco Gift Baskets To make the salad dressing, whisk together the shallot, vinegar, - Virgin Olive Oil, a 18 Vinegar aged Balsamic years, and a Sherry Vinegar aged 12 years. -

Oil and Vinegar ideal The cruets Housewarming Gift Balsamic Vinegar Gourmet Extra Oil and Balsamic vinegar. Send a grape cruet. - Gourmet Combinations of Award winning Olive Virgin Olive Oil, 18 year Aged Balsamic Vinegar; -

olive All Celebrities, chefs, recipes, councils, oil olive tasting panels, - Caroliva Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Caroliva Spanish Balsamic Vinegar aged 18 years and -

Milk cheese Honey Bazaar is an artisanal & and specialty foods - Milk & Honey dressing Balsamic Vinegar, 6 Year Balsamic Vinaigrette, Aged in - Mix with olive oil for a great salad Bazaar and toss with mixed greens, -