Top 17 Best Balsamic Vinegar Reviews In 2020

Balsamic vinegar used to be a favorite secret of many worldwide chefs to develop the complex flavors and fragrance of their recipes. But now, it’s getting more and more popular, and not hard to find at any grocery store.

However, not everyone understands that balsamic vinegar tastes differently from brand to brand. And this directly affects how delicious your dishes.

Don’t worry, I’ve compiled these 17 best balsamic vinegar that lots of expert tasters, chefs, and cooking enthusiasts always have on hand in their cupboard. Read on!

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Top 17 Best Balsamic Vinegar Reviews In 2020

MiaBella Balsamic Vinegar

For the price and quality, I find the MiaBella Balsamic Vinegar is a shining contender for people who are new to the spice.

It is a product of Italy, protected by the Modena Region, and made virtually with grape must. It is organic agriculture certified with no preservatives, flavors, or caramels added, and has been left for 18 years to age in oak and juniper barrels.

The most important thing is its natural acidic rate is just 4.5%, which is fine for beginners or who originally don’t like the sour taste of vinegar.

This one is sweet with melodious tartness and complex flavors.

Besides, the price is relatively reasonable for an 8.5-ounce traditionally-made balsamic vinegar bottle, making it the best pick at any whole food store.

Product Specs

Guiseppe Giusti Balsamic Vinegar

The Guiseppe Giusti is a genuine balsamic vinegar that’s produced using the Italian traditional manufacturing method, with no chemicals, caramel, thickeners, colorants, and additives added.

It contains only wine vinegar and grape must. The thick texture results from a long aging period of 12 years in various types of wood for different steps of the process, all meet the DOP accreditation (Denominazione di Origine Protetta).

So, no strange when its flavor is fantastic, highlighting complex, aromatic, and acidic undertones with a glossy velvety smooth texture and deep brown color.

It somehow brings notes of vanilla, honey, red fruit, and plum jam, which is a great pairing with fresh pasta, like fresh fruit, soft cheese, beef, or ravioli.

This is a qualified commercial-like imitation of the authentic traditional product and priced at a more affordable range to be ideal for daily cooking. In general, it has better versatility in the kitchen.

Product Specs

Ellora Farms Pure Balsamic Vinegar

I bet you can’t believe this fancy balsamic vinegar is only under $18 of price, which is also the cheapest option here.

While it is super-perfect for budget-minded beginners, the quality is very fine.

Of course, at such insane affordability, this is an imitation of the traditional product but I really appreciate the fact that it’s made 100% from grape must with no sweeteners or colorings added.

And the aging period is conducted in wooden barrels, not the metal to deliver deep brown color with complex flavors.

Another big bonus is the heavy high-grade glass bottle with a spray nozzle, which makes it easier to use whenever you want to add it to your dishes. No more the soggy foods because you don’t have to ladle or pour the liquids. Just misted, sprayed, or spritzed.

Product Specs

QO Organic Balsamic Vinegar

Another worth-trying balsamic vinegar manufacturer is QO.

They not just produce traditional-styled balsamic vinegar but also release the traditional-styled organic, as well as 3 infusions – raspberry, hot chili, and citrus. Lots of cooking enthusiasts highly recommend this brand although it’s just an imitation of the authentic.

This 250ml premium barrel-aged balsamic vinegar is certified by CCPB S.R.L. Italy. USDA Certified Organic, made of 100% organic concentrated cooked grape must with no caramel or sugar added.

It’s all-natural, refined in wooden barrels, and made in small batches to ensure the best quality in each bottle. That’s why I believe it can impress and satisfy the most curious and discerning of palates. Particularly, with 4% acidity, it is also ideal for beginners.

Product Specs

Oliviers & Co Balsamic Vinegar

Oliviers And Co are where tradition and quality meet.

The vinegar has been developed due to exclusive recipes that the brand has been in partnership with numerous experts and master chefs. Currently, it presents 4 variations: The classic, the premium organic, the premium, and the gold balsamic vinegar.

This one is the premium – #1 bestseller year after year of Oliviers & Co, made from a long-aging process of Trebbiano grape in rare wooden barrels.

It gives extraordinarily beautiful dark colors and honey-like consistency texture. It only takes a few drops of the vinegar to be extremely flavorful so for the price and volume, it bangs for bucks.

If you prefer some technical information, it is Certified PGI and the 4-Leaf Grade System.

Product Specs

Due Vittorie Balsamic Vinegar

Bring Italian balsamic vinegar flavors to your home with the Due Vittorie Oro Gold Balsamic Vinegar.

It has been voted on MasterChef for 3 seasons as one of the best balsamic vinegar for pro chefs, with years globally trusted by chef Gordon Ramsay whose restaurants have been awarded a totally of 16 Michelin stars.

The product is made entirely from a balsamic reduction of pressed Lambrusco and Trebbiano grapes, in Modena.

Before bottling, it is rigorously tested to ensure compliance with the current regulations in force as well as delivering only the best quality.

The natural acidity level of 4.5% is standard and reasonable to try, even for people who are new to balsamic. Once swallowed, it leaves an aftertaste of wild black cherry with fulfilling of sensorial perceptions and aroma. In addition, it delivers a nice smooth texture than other counterparts.

Product Specs

Emilia Food Love Balsamic Vinegar

The Balsamic Vinegar by Emilia Food Love is a great option to sublimate your culinary experience.

It is made from cooked grape must of Emilia Romagna vineyards and wine vinegar. The ingredients are 100% natural with no additional ingredients, artificial flavors, dyes, caramel color, or sugar added.

Particularly, no thickeners.

Its density level of 1.3 is the result of 4 years guarded in wooden barrels before bottling. This aging process also makes the vinegar more delicate in flavors compared to the basic balsamic vinegar of Modena without being too musty or thick.

It tastes not too acidic, a little smoky, and slightly bitter-sweet that explodes in the mouth seems really aged.

The product is genuinely Italian and a few drops on an arugula salad or fresh mozzarella would make you want to linger over it.

Product Specs

The Balsamic Guy Balsamic Vinegar

Get the taste of authentic traditional Italian flavors with the Balsamic Vinegar of Modena by The Balsamic Guy.

Known as extra Vecchio – the older version of traditional balsamic vinegar – which has been aged for AT LEAST 25 years before being unleashed. That’s why it earns the highest scoring of mine for the flavors, aroma, and texture.

This 100ml bottle is also the sole type guaranteed by the consortium of traditional balsamic vinegar producers in Modena and labeled Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena.

Made with pride, it is backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee which will give you a full refund with no excuses if you feel unsatisfied with either the quality or taste. The unique, beautiful packaging is also great to be a perfect gift for any occasion.

Product Specs

B.R. Cohn 15 Year Balsamic Vinegar

For a sweet-tasting but still have a bit of tang to the finish, the B.R. Cohn 15 Year Modena Balsamic Vinegar will never let you down.

It is normally made of Trebbiano grape simmered in copper pots and then, aged for a minimum of 15 years in small wooden barrels.

What sets it apart from other commercial-grade balsamic vinegar is the intensified wood essence and deep brown color, all thanks to the diverse wood types of barrels used during the aging process. They comprise of juniper, chestnut, mulberry, cherry, and oak.

During this production, no colorings, thickeners, preservatives, caramels, or sugar added, allowing you to taste the millennium-old tradition balsamic vinegar at the most affordable price point.

Product Specs

Sparrow Lane Blackberry Balsamic Vinegar

One of the more inexpensive balsamic vinegar in the market that you can trust on its quality – the Sparrow Lane Blackberry Balsamic Vinegar.

It is made naturally from the local blackberries and aged in oak barrels with no sugar, colorings, and preservatives added during the process. According to many expert tasters, the vinegar gives a great balance in acidity and flavor.

It’s considered a very bright candidate to make sauces, and salad dressing.

Particularly when cooking beef, it is like a touch of magic to enhance the dish’s flavors and fragrance, making it more tasteful and delicious.

Product Specs

San Giamoco Aged Balsamic Vinegar

If you are looking for a reliable manufacturer for authentic balsamic vinegar, San Giamoco is my top recommendation.

It is one of the most famous brands in Italy, specializing in not just authentic traditional balsamic vinegar but also oils, spices, baking products, Wagyu staks, truffles, and more.

This product is one of their bestsellers with an emphasis on rich, harmonious fragrances and uniquely complex flavors. Speaking of the tasting, it would be less bitter than sweet, which is easy to use, especially for beginners.

A special thing about the aging process of San Giamoco’s vinegar is instead of using 5 different types of wooden barrels, it is up to seven, including acacia, mulberry, cherry, juniper, chestnut, and oak.

My guess is, such distinctive wood infusions help enrich the texture and flavor of the vinegar to extreme.

Product Specs

Traditional Balsamic Vinegar

This balsamic vinegar is a premium-quality model which has been made from the finest grape must and aged for at least 25 years in a series of casks of different woods.

They include chestnut, cherry, mulberry, ash, juniper, and oak. The combination of two elements sublimates the nuances and complex characteristics of the balsamic vinegar, forming its distinct flavors.

It is produced by Tradizionale Balsamic Vinegar. Extra Vecchio, a reputable, trustworthy Italian brand from Modena in Emilia Romagna.

To guarantee the true quality of tradition, the whole process is overseen by two consortiums under the awards, bottle shape, the local varieties of grapes, and standards for their respective fine vinegar. Every single bottle of balsamic vinegar meets the DOP standards, under the direction of the European Union.

One thing to note: The brand has updated the packaging of this product to the top quality. If you’ve used the Cavalli Gold Seal before, don’t worry, this is it, not fake.

Product Specs

San Giacomo Balsamic Vinegar

Priced under $30, this balsamic vinegar is perfect for everyday cooking.

It is produced from organic grape must which are carefully picked and stored in 7 wooden barrels for aging from 8 to 12 years.

The manufacturing process is conducted under strict supervision to ensure the users can get the best quality vinegar with a great balance of sweetness and bitterness.

Unlike standard balsamic vinegar, this San Giacomo goes well with meat, fish dishes to enhance a unique Italian taste.

Product Specs

Acetaia Leonardi Sigillo Argento Balsamic Vinegar

The Acetaia Leonardi Sigillo Argento Balsamic Vinegar has a perfect amount of thickness with a tart, sweet taste. During my personal tasting, it does have a bit of bitter, but with balance, so beginners could rest the heart to give it a try.

After being paired with an olive-studded baguette, it also received lots of “mmms” of my family members. My parents described it as a magical touch to the beef recipe with a fantastic balance of flavors and tastes.

It is one of the most flexible and versatile mid-price balsamic vinegar I tried.

Overall, I love everything about it, including the price.

Product Specs

Bodley Head Balsamic Vinegar

The Bodley Head Villa Manodori Balsamic Vinegar is made in limited quantities by Massimo Bottura – one of the most reputable Italian chefs at Osteria Francescana in Modena.

It is handcrafted from the finest Trebbiano grapes and carefully aged in a series of 3 different wooden barrels of juniper, chestnut, and oak. This is key to make wood and grape essence intermingle, creating nice vinegar texture – dark in color with ideal thickness characteristics and rich aroma.

It gives you a true balsamico flavor that can pair perfectly with poultry, pork, or steak. Or, you can toss it with salad greens and oil, drizzle over risotto, or add to a pasta sauce.

Product Specs

Nobili Sapori IGP Balsamic Vinegar

The Nobili Sapori IGP Balsamic Vinegar of Modena is produced by La Vecchia Dispensa – an Italian manufacturer with years of expertise in the industry.

It features 250ml of volume with 6% of the acidic level.

The ingredients comprise of wine vinegar and grape must that is carefully picked and cooked in copper pots. From my experience, it has intense notes of the cooked must with a fruity taste that is well balanced between the sourness and sweetness.

Such outstanding flavors make it ideal for salads and fresh vegetables. With a few drops of this vinegar, it can sublimate your favorite hot dishes. Overall, this is the best supermarket balsamic vinegar out there.

Product Specs

Emilia Balsamic Vinegar

Last but not least – the Emilia Balsamic Vinegar whose labels are letter-pressed by Emilia herself. For those who don’t know, the brand is named after George’s daughter – Emily.

Each bottle of balsamic vinegar is produced with the highest meticulousness from choosing the ingredients to aging, under strict examination to make only the top-notch products. What makes this outstanding is the incredibly sweet flavors with perfectly tart, mellow, complex, and rich characteristics.

While being made in a traditional style, it is cleverly reduced the must to go directly from juice to vinegar. This helps the brand gain lots of positive reviews from the world’s chefs who have sampled it.

For sure, just some drops can sublimate everything – from ice cream to steak.

Product Specs

The Ultimate Guide To Choosing Best Balsamic Vinegar In 2020

Types

There are currently two main types of balsamic vinegar:

• Authentic balsamic vinegar
• The imitation of the authentic

 Authentic balsamic vinegar

Made 100% from grapes grown in the Modena and Emilian-Romagna regions of Italy and must be fermented for at least 12 years in different wooden barrels before bottling.

The longer the aging period (can be more than 150 years), the better the taste and flavor.

But it will be equivalent to the higher price so it’s usually used in fancy restaurants, pro chefs, or on important occasions.

Price range: $150 or higher

Imitation of the authentic

Made of varieties of local grapes combining with wine vinegar and aged in a shorter period – usually within 6 months to 4 years – before bottling. The barrels are either metal or wood.

This results in waterier texture and less complex flavors.

This type is commonly more inexpensive than the authentic but still good enough to sublimate dishes. It’s more flexible and versatile, which is ideal for daily cooking.

Price range: $10 to $80

When it comes to choosing the best balsamic vinegar, determining the type is the top priority. Your budget and purpose of use are the two biggest features affecting this step.

It’s not bad to go for the imitation, if not saying that there are many world’s famous manufacturers specializing in this type of balsamic vinegar.

So if your major need is something with complex, character flavors to boots your dishes and your budget is tight, an imitation product is ideal.

How to know that I buy a good imitation balsamic vinegar?

Here are some clear signals to help you distinguish between good imitation balsamic vinegar and the poor-quality:

It is usually labeled as Aceto Balsamico di Modena (Balsamic Vinegar of Modena)

No sugar, caramel, or coloring added during the aging process

Contain no cornflour, guar gum, additives, chemicals, and things like that

Meet DOP standards

Bonus: While most cheap balsamic vinegar is made from wine vinegar and grapes, there are still some brands only use 100% organic, natural grape must for their products without compromising the price.

For example:

• MiaBella Balsamic Vinegar
• Ellora Farms Pure Balsamic Vinegar
• Sparrow Lane Blackberry Balsamic Vinegar

How to choose highly value authentic balsamic vinegar?

First off, it must be labelled as Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Emilia (Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Reggio Emilia) or Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena (Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena).

This indication lets you know that the product has been manufactured using the traditional Italian methods with a specially-shaped bottle and is accepted by the Italian consortium (DOC standards).

Another thing to keep in mind is the seal of guarantee.

Above all, I highly recommend buying from reliable, reputable brands/manufacturers. For example, San Giamoco, The Balsamic Guy, and QO.

Volume & Price

The measuring unit of volume of a balsamic vinegar bottle is various – either fluid ounces (fl. oz.) or milliliter (ml).

So, if you intend to make a price comparison between various products, remember to unify their measuring unit and calculate the $/fluid ounce or $/ml.

For example, between the bottle A – 8.5 fl. oz., $20 and the bottle B – 15 fl. oz., $25, to know which is cheaper, you should make some calculations to know the $/fl. oz. of each bottle. Accordingly, it is:

• Bottle A – $2.4/fl. oz.
• Bottle B – $1.6/fl. oz.

So, B is cheaper.

Lid

While many people often ignore this feature, it will make or break your cooking experience.

Why?

Just imagine: How do you feel if the lid of your balsamic vinegar bottle doesn’t fit well and it often leaks? Or, it usually makes your food soggy as the nozzle is hard to control?

When considering the lid, you should keep in mind three things:

• Does it fit well?
• Do you need a spray nozzle or not?
• Can the bottle refill?

FAQs

How can you tell good quality balsamic vinegar?

Look for these indicators whenever you have to determine which balsamic vinegar to buy:

• If it’s authentic, the label should be Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Emilia (Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Reggio Emilia) or Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena (Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena)
• Labeled as Aceto Balsamico di Modena (Balsamic Vinegar of Modena) if it’s an imitation of the authentic
• Meet DOP or other reputable standards

Where does the best balsamic vinegar come from?

Italy.

Which Italian town makes the best balsamic vinegar?

Modena and Emilian-Romagna regions

Does balsamic vinegar of Modena need to be refrigerated?

No, it doesn’t.

Once the bottle is opened for the first time, you just need to close it tightly after each use. Balsamic vinegar can be stored at room temperature.

Does balsamic vinegar get better with age?

Yes, it does, as long as it is properly stored.

Do you need to refrigerate balsamic glaze?

No, you don’t.

It’s because the balsamic glaze is basically a reduction of balsamic vinegar.

Does balsamic vinegar dressing go bad?

No, it doesn’t – as long as the vinegar is properly stored and taken good care off.

Conclusion

I trust that my recommendations and references are sound and well-researched.

In addition, the golden tips and suggestions from over 20 cooking enthusiasts, chefs, and expert tasters I consulted from make this post highly valuable.

I hope my hard work helps your cooking experience much better.