Acetaia Leonardi Gold Medal Balsamic Vinegar of Modena IGP
The balsamic vinegar has an inky, almost syrupy consistency and is balanced between acidic and sweet, with a rich dried-fruit undertone. Quality this high is best enjoyed straight, drizzled over most any grilled or roasted meat, roasted vegetables, cheeses or garden-fresh tomatoes. Or try as a counterpoint to sweet berries or vanilla ice cream.
Acetaia Leonardi White Balsamic Vinegar
This white balsamic from Acetaia Leonardi is aged for eight years in oak barrels, so its flavor is exceptionally smooth and rounded. We like its honeyed fruit undertones and full-bodied consistency, which comes from the aging process and is a key indicator of a vinegar's quality. The family producer has been making vinegar since 1871 and is one of the last in Modena, Italy, to grow the same grapes that they use to make their vinegar. Try using this vinegar for brightness in our White Balsamic and Tarragon Chicken or Belgian Mashed Potatoes with Winter Vegetables (Stoemp); it will sharpen flavors and add dimension without calling too much attention to itself the way other vinegars do. Or drizzling it over roasted vegetables, such as in our Roasted Carrots with Balsamic Raisins and Pine Nuts or Slow-Roasted Tomatoes. We like to use a couple tablespoons to deglaze the pan after roasting meats, scraping up the browned bits and finishing with butter. White balsamic vinegar even plays a key role in our Harissa, for a mild acidity as a counterpoint for the earthy spices in the hot pepper paste.
Acetaia Leonardi Silver Medal Balsamic Vinegar
While Leonardi’s Gold Medal Balsamic Vinegar is one that we use sparingly, we use this high quality, well-priced Silver Medal version for everyday use. With its bold, sweet, tart and heady flavor, it will elevate any dish. And unlike many other balsamics, the viscosity that this vinegar offers allows it to coat and cling to foods better than lower-quality varieties. It has a strong grape must flavor that is instantly recognizable as good balsamic vinegar. Plus, it comes in a pretty bottle housed in a lovely sleeve that makes it gift-worthy for your favorite cook.
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