Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Pricey But in a Class All Its Own


Yes, after tasting a true and aged Balsamic from Modena, I finally succumbed and bought a bottle. It is the ultimate taste test to understand why this product is so highly prized in culinary circles. Being thrifty by nature, I could only make the purchase by selecting the 12 year balsamic (in the white box), but in reality, I liked it better than the 25 year version that was offered for me to taste. At the time of purchase, this bottle was $74.00, but with a stronger dollar it could be 30 % less at this time. The same bottle was selling in California for about $125.00, so it was a nice savings to purchase it in Italy. True to a traditional Modena aged balsamic, this product is sweet with a syrupy mouth feel. When compared to the Kirkland 15 year balsamic, it is much heavier and richer. It is ambrosia when drizzled over a good crumbly Parmigiano.