Balsamic vinegar is an exquisite product with a history of more than 1,000 years. For centuries its reputation has varied from a gift worthy of the greats of this world to a disinfectant and miracle cure. But the genuine recognition of balsamic vinegar’s unsurpassed taste and its ability to open up new facets of other products’ tastes came in the 19th century.

The most important role in its popularization was played by the artisans of Modena – the homeland of balsamic vinegar – who cherished and passionately perfected the tradition of making this unique condiment through the generations. One of the oldest producers of this product is Acetaia Del Cristo. The high achievements of this brand have been recognized for the second year in a row by the expert committee of Luxury Lifestyle Awards, naming it the winner in the category of Best Luxury Balsamic Vinegar in the World for 2021.

The story of Acetaia Del Cristo is the story of a family business that finds its roots in 1849. The founders of the company were Eugenio Barbieri and Loris Bellei, who gave rise to a new vinegar cellar at Barbieri Farm, combining their heritage of century-old casks and applying their shared experience to its expansion and production of unsurpassed balsamic vinegar. Four generations of descendants of the Barbieri and Bellei families have cherished the ancient tradition of balsamic vinegar production and the highest quality standards, bringing them to perfection. Today, Acetaia Del Cristo owns 2000 casks of different types, barrels, and ancient vats, which are used exclusively to make Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) and placed in the attics of the farm.

In the process of research, the experts of Luxury Lifestyle Awards couldn’t help but pay tribute to the meticulous approach to product preparation. Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PDO is a 100% natural product obtained through the unique climatic conditions of Modena. Filled with the energy of the sun, organically grown autochthonous grapes are processed into must, which with the help of a dedicated photovoltaic system, goes through the next stages of processing. Then comes the longest and most fundamental stage – the patient waiting for the vinegar to go through natural and spontaneous aging processes inside groups of casks of different sizes, arranged in descending order.

The vinegar matures for at least 12 years – in this case, it is defined as Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena. This type of product is taken from the smallest cask, and its volume is only 3% of the total reserve. The stock is replenished each year by carefully transferring the vinegar from the larger barrels to smaller ones according to the strictest criteria. The vinegar, aged in barrels for 25 years, is a premium product called Extra-Old Balsamic Vinegar of Modena.

The favorable climatic conditions, the dedicated team of passionate inheritors of the ancient tradition of vinegar making, the exceptionally high-quality organically farmed grapes, natural biological processes of fermentation – all this has come together under the name Acetaia Del Cristo to reveal to the world the most genuine and natural product on the market with its rich texture and complex aromas. Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PDO is bottled in special 100 ml cruets, designed by “Giugiaro Design”. One such cruet is enough to customize more than 70 portions of exquisite dishes. Just a few drops can flavor a variety of dishes, including aperitifs, meat, fish, cheese, vegetables, providing a jubilant aromatic experience.