Balsamic Vinegar of Modena is a true treasure that is jealously guarded as a Made in Italy product. An ancient tradition that brings its results to the tables of millions of people around the world. The guided tour in the acetaia is undoubtedly an extraordinary opportunity to get closer to this incredible world and to understand something more than that fantastic bottle that dominates our tables and gives flavor to everything.
The extraordinary world of the acetaia
To truly understand the beating heart of Modena, it is necessary to delve into its most typical traditions: what is more typical in this area than the so-called “Black Gold of Modena”?
Given the success of the tours, the local vinegar factories have organized fantastic guided tours that allow visitors to enter not only the places where Balsamic Vinegar is created, but also the mentality and atmosphere that guides the industry’s professionals.
The visit to the acetaia
This type of tour obviously begins where the first spark of what will be the final product is born: we are obviously referring to the vineyards through which a guided outdoor route will wind in direct contact with the plants. It is necessary to remember here that Balsamic Vinegar is made starting from selected vineyards: Lambrusco, Ancellotta, Trebbiano, Sauvignon, Sgavetta, Berzemino, Occhio di Gatta.
Once you’ve learned all the facts about the vineyards, the guide will lead visitors to the heart of the business: the vinegar factory itself. Here you will find yourself in a wonderful world of warm colors, intense smells and fascinating creaks. A vinegar factory can house several hundred barrels of vinegar that is undergoing various stages of processing: fermentation, maturation and refinement, and/or aging.
Each of these stages is of crucial importance in arriving at the finished product and its extraordinary quality. Each stage has its own barrel, made of fine wood, of different sizes, which will add quality to the Balsamic Vinegar. Nothing happens by chance in an acetaia. Every detail is carefully taken care of in order to add to the product being processed all the characteristics that make it so appreciated.
Tasting of Balsamic Vinegar of Modena
From the grape pressing stage, each step is carefully monitored through all the various processes, such as during the cooking of the must, but also during fermentation, ripening, refinement and aging. The guided tour in the acetaia will prove extremely interesting and full of new content, but the most exciting part comes just when you think you have understood the entire production process. In fact, the organized tours include a final phase that will remain a lasting impression on all visitors: the tasting of Balsamic Vinegar of Modena.
Having followed its production step by step, combined with following all the indications suggested by the guide for tasting this product, will lead the visitor to place a different focus on the precious aromas, color and flavors found in each drop of Balsamic Vinegar. All the nuances that are contained within this precious product will be appreciated by every visitor. Each vinegar factory also has a “shop corner” where you can buy the bottles of Balsamic Vinegar of Modena you prefer.
At Acetaia Marchi, we also organize guided vineyard tours; we accompany you along the Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PDO and Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PGI.
Starting from the vineyards and ending with the tasting of our traditional products.
