Aceto Balsamico di Modena PGI Gold

Full-bodied Gold Aceto Balsamico from Modena

The Aceto Balsamico di Modena PGI Gold by Fattoria Estense is the Gran Riserva of the line, thick, velvety, and dark. Aged for a long time in small casks, with no caramel coloring. Not a young salad vinegar, but a full-bodied balsamic for refining – a small alternative to the Tradizionale.

Aceto Balsamico di Modena PGI Gold by Fattoria Estense is the Gran Riserva grade of the line, from Cogneto in Emilia-Romagna. With a density of 1.34, it flows thick and dark into the glass, smells of wood and cooked must, and carries 6% acidity in balance with a full, velvety sweetness. The full-bodied one among the color grades.

Velvety, thick, dark as ebony

Dark brown and glossy, it leaves streaks on the edge of the glass, with scents of wood and boiled-down grape must on the nose. On the palate, 6% acidity and a full sweetness in a velvety flow. It is full-bodied, velvety, and dense – a balsamic with plenty of body and composure, which lingers long and elevates the plate.

The producer puts it aptly: "Full-bodied and velvety, it exudes an intense and balsamic aroma of wood and cooked must." That is exactly what it is – denser and deeper than the Bronze and Silver, with the melt that brings it closer to the Tradizionale. A balsamic that does not splash, but flows. Anyone who does not yet have the great Tradizionale in their cupboard will find a clever approximation here.

On tomato-mozzarella and over Parmigiano

Its density makes it a finisher: a few drops over tomato-mozzarella, over grilled vegetables, over a spoonful of ricotta, or quite classically over aged cheese. Over strawberries with a little black pepper, it becomes a small dessert.

It likes strong partners that provide contrast to its sweetness: a sliver of Parmigiano Reggiano, a risotto for the finale, a piece of dark chocolate with your espresso. It is too precious for cooking – add it raw and only at the end so that the aroma and density remain. For the daily salad, the lighter Aceto Balsamico Silver is sufficient; save the Gold for the special plate.

Gran Riserva from Cogneto in Emilia-Romagna

The family business Fattoria Estense ages its balsamics in wooden casks in old vaults near Cogneto. The Gold matures for a long time in small casks and bears the highest grade of the colored PGI line: Gran Riserva. It represents the most mature of the colors before the named series with Lodovico Campari begins.

Concentrated solely through boiled-down grape must, without caramel coloring and without artificial color, it reaches a density of 1.34 – denser than Bronze and Silver; only the Lodovico Campari sits higher at 1.38. Some of the vinegar blends in the house are aged for over 10 years before they go into a cuvée. The abbreviation PGI stands for Protected Geographical Indication, which has been monitored by a consortium in Modena since 1993.

Where the PGI line reaches its peak, the genuine Tradizionale begins with at least 12 years of aging – the Gold comes close to it for a fraction of the price. You can find the entire Fattoria Estense range and other Aceto Balsamico di Modena PGI with us. The 250 ml bottle lasts a long time because only a few drops are needed – a little bottle for the kitchen that you use with care.