balsamic vinegar adds a flair of culinary artistry. A gourmet kitchen without balsamic vinegar is hard to imagine. Less than 20 years ago, balsamic vinegar was nearly an obscure Tuscany ingredient. Now, cooks use it more and more. A couple of drops of the very best balsamic vinegar on ripe berries, pears, or other fruit is a customary combination to end a meal.