The Gourmet Balsamic Test

For years we have been dealing with the black gold from Italy and have tried and tasted countless spicy sauces that were called "balsamic vinegar". Reason enough for us to share our test results with you. We are publishing a top list of vinegars, divided into categories, which we, a jury made up of a team of five, liked best. The winner receives the " Golden Balsamic Drops ":

Our product tasting categories are broken down as follows:

• Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PDO & Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Reggio Emilia PDO
• Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PGI
• Other condiments and vinegars

Five selected products will be tasted in each category. The jury is responsible for selecting the products. Different test series can also be compared with one another on the basis of the evaluation system described below. When reading the test results, please note that each filling / batch can lead to different test results, as it is a food and is subject to natural fluctuations.

Our test criteria:

The rating system we use was based on the scientific test criteria of appearance, smell, taste and consistency and based on the typical balsamic vinegar tasting in Italy and evaluates the four main categories of " visual characteristics ", " olfactory characteristics ", " taste characteristics " and the " overall impression ". The testers award points for the following properties within the categories as follows:

1. In the category "visual characteristics" maximum score 60/15%:
• Consistency / viscosity - max. 30 points
• Color - max. 30 points
2. In the "Odor Characteristics" category - maximum score 120/30%:
• Directness - max. 40 points
• Intensity and adhesion - max. 40 points
• Acid - max. 40 points
3. In the "Flavor Characteristics" category - maximum score 180/45%:
• Complexity & diversity - max. 45 points
• Intensity - max. 45 points
• Taste max. 45 points
• Acid - max. 45 points
4. In the "Overall impression" category - maximum number of points 40:
• The combination of smell, taste and appearance - max. 40 points / 10%

Together, a product can therefore achieve a maximum of 400 points. Category 3 - the taste characteristics - forms the most important part with a weighting of 45% in the test. No points are awarded for the packaging and labeling of a balsamic vinegar, because, for example, the bottle shape is always the same in the case of a real Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena DOP, you cannot eat the packaging and there is little scope for labeling, except for cooked grape must yes nothing else included.

The individual balsamic samples of the respective batches are assessed neutrally in a round bottom flask in accordance with ISO standard 24450. Each batch tested is published with information on the batch number or the best before date. Our test jury consists of various gourmets who have been trained in our evaluation system in advance.

The test winner of the tasting for the "Golden Balsamico Drops" was the twelve-year-old ABTM from Villa San Doninno with 244 points.

The total test results 04/2017 from the category: Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena DOP (ABTM) are:

Name & Lotvisual featuresOdor characteristicsFlavor characteristicsOverall impressionPoints ABTM Villa San Donnino> 12 - L996 30/60 60/120 126/180 28/45 244 ABTM Bonini> 12 years - L15.175A 45/60 67/120 98/180 28/45 238 ABTM Bompana> 12 - L836 35/60 55/120 119/180 25/45 234 ABTM Mazetti> 12 - L8.043A 45/60 42/120 102/180 24/45 213 ABTM Malphigi> 12 - L773 41/60 40/120 98/180 25/45 204