If you want to have a taste of balsamic vinegar, then you need to know where to look. You can always find it in many places around, but in Italy, this is as good as it can get. And one of the ideal places to turn to in Italy is Modena among other places.
But you can still get your taste buds excited without having to go all the way to Modena yet. You can find an even more interesting place to taste this amazing stuff – Bologna. The city has many places where you can go for a once-in-a-lifetime vinegar tasting opportunity.
Better yet, you can make bookings quite easily in some of the options we are going to share with you. Balsamic Vinegar tasting doesn’t get better than this. Here are a few places you need to look to treat your taste buds in Bologna.
DE NIGRIS shop – Bologna Airport shop
When it comes to getting a taste of creativity in virtually any recipe, this (“Masters Acetieri from 1989”) is the place to be. Located in the departures section around Gate 10 of Bologna Airport, DE NIGRIS takes your culinary experience to a completely new level. Here, you can choose from several types of products for your preference.
This shop is dedicated to taking the balsamic vinegar culture to the world. Maybe you are out to get a taste of a traditional cuisine. Maybe all you want is to enjoy a palate or more. Whichever the choice is for you, this shop has your needs and preferences covered with a range of offers. What’s more, the combination of the traditional and elegant touch brings out an unprecedented balsamic experience.
A little about DE NIGRIS
The De Nigris’ is a story stretching back to 1889. For more than three generations, the family has committed to producing balsamic vinegar to offer the best there is on the market. What makes this particular option outstanding is the creativity that goes into the production of every recipe and dish. This also encompasses the ingredients used in the production of their incredible stuff.
What you can have there
Perhaps the best thing about this shop is the wide range of products that they offer. First, balsamic vinegar is as good as it gets. They will also take you on a tour for food and wine for an outstanding experience and taste. Not forgetting, they also have 100% Modena 8 Travasi, salt with Aceto balsamico and more.
Le Terre Del Balsamico @ Fico Bologna
Among the best places to come up close, and have a taste of balsamic vinegar is Le Terre Del Balsamico. You can always find Modena Balsamic vinegar as well as the traditional balsamic vinegar here. This vinegar is not only popular the world over. It’s also rich in history as well as the tradition that you may have yet to come across. Get to know the materials and even the way this vinegar is processed.
The staff there is ready to take you every step of the way. This can be your best chance of exploring different tastes of the top vinegar around. You may also want to get a customized tasting session with pro tasters. Not forgetting, you will have several books and publications at your disposal too.
Where to find them
Well, you can always find le Terre balsamico at FICO food park in Bologna . But to be more specific, you will find this wonderful place along Paolo Canali street. The destination is strategic in that you don’t have to struggle to find it. A cab should be a great way if you are not sure on how to get there by yourself.
If you stay in Bologna you Can get to FICO by using the FICO bus from central Bologna, the shuttle bus will take you there and back, please see this page for more info.
What they offer
In this specialty food shop, there is always a lot to taste and enjoy. You will get an array of PGI as well as PDO Balsamic vinegar of Modena among other treats.
Bologna Herb Market – Mercato delle Erbe.
Another place you don’t want to miss is the Bologna herb market. Its design was developed over a century ago, around 1910, thanks to Arturo Carpi and Luigi Melluci. During the Second World War, the market took a bit of beating. Nevertheless, it made a significant comeback, reopening in 1949. The good thing about this market is that it doesn’t bind you to any particular shop.
You can always shop around the many foodstuff stalls on the herb market and satisfy your curiosity. It has seen a fair share of tourist in the recent years. And it stands out as one of the top places in Bologna where you can enjoy vinegar tasting. If you are setting out to quench your curiosity about this type of vinegar, then this market is definitely worth a stop by, or isn’t it?
More places you can try and shop for balsamic vinegar in Bologna.
Eataly Bologna: Located in the heart of the city, this renowned food marketplace offers a plethora of Italian delicacies including a wide range of balsamic vinegars from Modena. Their knowledgeable staff can guide you through a tasting and explain the differences between traditional balsamic vinegar and commercial-grade products.
Gilberto: This historic shop in the city center has been offering top-quality balsamic vinegar for generations. Their tasting includes an explanation of the production process and the chance to sample a variety of vinegars.
Tamburini: A family-run business, Tamburini is a deli and a Bologna institution. Aside from their wide range of cured meats, cheeses, and wines, they offer tasting sessions of balsamic vinegar, where you can learn about the intricate process behind its creation.
What You Should Look For.
Balsamic vinegar, or «Aceto Balsamico,» is a true gem of Italian gastronomy, revered for its unique, complex flavor profile. There are two main varieties of balsamic vinegar you should know about: Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale and Aceto Balsamico di Modena IGP.
- Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale: This is the granddaddy of all balsamic vinegars, made according to time-honored methods that date back centuries. Tradizionale vinegar is produced in the Modena and Reggio Emilia regions of Italy. It’s made from cooked grape must, or «mosto cotto,» that’s aged in wooden barrels for a minimum of 12 years, with some varieties being aged for 25 years or even longer. It’s noted for its thick consistency and complex, sweet, and slightly tart flavor. Given the extensive aging process and the high quality, it tends to be quite expensive and is typically reserved for special occasions. Each bottle of Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale carries a DOP (Denominazione di Origine Protetta) label, guaranteeing its authenticity and place of origin.
- Aceto Balsamico di Modena IGP: This type of balsamic vinegar is a more commercial product and has a broader production area that extends beyond the provinces of Modena and Reggio Emilia. It’s made from a blend of wine vinegar and grape must, with a minimum aging period of just two months. It tends to be thinner and less complex in flavor compared to the tradizionale variety. However, there are high-quality IGP vinegars that are aged for three years or longer, offering a better flavor profile. This version of balsamic vinegar is more affordable and is commonly used in everyday cooking. IGP (Indicazione Geografica Protetta) on the label assures that the product is made according to specific regional traditions.
Nothing quite beats the thrill of getting to the very root of balsamic tradition and history. You not only get to enjoy an outstanding taste. You will also have the opportunity to share an age-old tradition. You can always feed your curiosity with any of these destinations. And although Bologna has a good number of places to go, these are some of the best destinations.
You can now step right into the impressive taste of balsamic vinegar with a difference. The range of experiences there are to explore is extensive. Above all, you will get an outstanding reception from a committed and friendly staff that is ready to take you all the way.
And to top up the list, you can have the chance to taste vinegar along with some of the most seasoned pros out there. Now you know where to turn for your next vinegar tasting tour. Don’t take it for our word, you need to get out there and experience it for yourself.