The below post comes to us from IFBC17 sponsor, Balsamic Vinegar of Modena, The Original, whom you will be able to meet September 29 – October 1 at the IFBC. If you haven’t registered for the conference yet, don’t miss out!
Have you ever tasted the original Balsamic Vinegar of Modena? Today, Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PGI is sold in more than 120 countries around the world and it’s among the top 10 Italian PDO and PGI food specialties. Its success, however, particularly on an international level, has contributed to the emergence and spread of fraud in the form of products that imitate or simply claim the title “balsamic,” harming the producers and proliferating consumer’s confusion. It is a very large business worth around €60 billion in North America, which is almost half of the entire Italian Food Industry turnover and more than twice its exports.
The Consorzio Tutela Aceto Balsamico di Modena IGP is proud to present, the informational and promotional session entitled “BALSAMIC VINEGAR OF MODENA, THE ORIGINAL – Protected Geographical Indication from Europe” at IFBC17. This session will strengthen the added value of the product, in terms of authenticity, safety, traceability and labeling guaranteed by the European trademark protection. Italian and European agrifood is an enological and gastronomic heritage and eating style based not only on quality, goodness and genuineness, but also on the guarantee of safety, healthiness and origin.
According to tradition and in compliance with regulations, the area of production of Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PGI comprises the provinces of Modena and Reggio Emilia. The beauty of Modena has even conquered the UNESCO World Heritage list with Piazza Grande, Modena Cathedral and Ghirlandina Bell Tower all within just a few blocks of each other. In addition to Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PGI, Modena and Reggio Emilia are also food and wine capitals known for salumi, tortellini, and of course the Lambrusco.
What to look for when you buy balsamic
The Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PGI may be distinguished by its unique, delicate, persistent and pleasant aroma, its harmonious acidity, deep brown color, acetic odor with woody overtones and for its balanced sweet and sour flavor.
The Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PGI is a product of the Emilian territory, a skill honed over thousands of years. It is clear and bright with an intense dark brown color tending towards black. Its taste is bitter-sweet with a harmony between acidity and sweetness while its odor is lightly acidic, delicate and persistent with eventual woody notes.
The secret behind Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PGI lies in three factors:
- Grapes: only seven indigenous vines can be used
- Earth: environment and microclimate affect the final result
- Love: the families of Modena jealously perpetuate their own tradition and secrets
The packaging must bear the words Aceto Balsamico di Modena, together with the Protected Designation of Origin logo. If the product was aged for more than three years, the packaging also bears the word “Aged.” Also, producers associated with the Protection Consortium are allowed to display the Consortium logo on the label.
How to recognize the authentic Balsamic Vinegar of Modena? The PGI logo permits to distinguish the original product from imitations. Pay attention, the original Balsamic Vinegar of Modena is one of a kind.
Join the Consorzio in the Authentic Balsamic Vinegar IFBC17 experience!
Join the Director of the Balsamic Vinegar of Modena Consorzio as he introduces you to the original Balsamic Vinegar and its history, from 1800 to today. Learn why it is indicated both for giving the finishing touches to simple, day-to-day, “quick” dishes and for enriching refined creations in an imaginative way, open to fusion influences! Don’t miss the opportunity to taste these products loved by both professional chefs and food enthusiasts around the world.
Below are the IFBC17 opportunities to meet the Consorzio:
Friday, September 29
4:15 – 6:30 PM Expo, Taste of Sacramento & Gift Suite
Saturday, September 30
1:45 – 2:45 PM Discovery Sessions
4:15 – 5:15 PM Live Food & Drink Blogging: attendees will experience Balsamic Vinegar of Modena and other nine different food and drink products in small-group encounters over a 50-minute period, all the while live blogging, Tweeting, and using other social media platforms in real time.
For more information about Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PGI and the “BALSAMIC VINEGAR OF MODENA, THE ORIGINAL – Protected Geographical Indication from Europe” program, visit the website www.originalbalsamicvinegar.eu and the Facebook page, Balsamic Vinegar of Modena, the Original: https://www.facebook.com/originalbalsamicvinegar/
We hope you can join us for this informative (and delicious) session in Sacramento this September. Having toured Modena and several Balsamic Vinegar of Modena producers, we can attest to the difference. See you in California!