Modena - The Dowry. Home of Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, and Bugati

In the Acetaia di Giorgio

This city is renowned for Lambrusco, tortellini, and BALSAMIC VINEGAR. Today we learned how real, traditional balsamic vinegar is made only in Modena, from a combination of lambrusco and trebbiano grapes. For a very good explanation go to: http://www.thenibble.com/reviews/main/oils/about-balsamic-vinegar.asp. In the home of Giorgio and Giovanna, we were given all the time necessary to learn the art. A young couple from Miami/San Francisco, who is travelling with their beautiful, 5 1/2 month old baby boy, Rohan, joined us for the tour. Exquisite rooms were filled with many series of barrels made from different woods, and filled with vinegar in different stages of development. Approximately, 2,000 pounds of grapes produce only 2 liters of vinegar. Twenty-five years ago, Carlotta was born to Giorgio and Giovanna, and they immediately started her dowry, balsamic vinegar. Today, 3 ounces of Carlotta's vinegar sell for 75 Euros, or approximately $105! In the tasting room, we were treated to two 12 year old vinegars and two 25 year old vinegars. I have never tasted anything that compares. We purchased a small bottle of very precious, 12 year old balsamic vinegar.

Giovanna with Carlotta's dowry