Olive Tap Implements Official Italian Balsamic Vinegar Naming & Standards of Identity

| 05/04/2010|
In July 2009, Balsamic Vinegar of Modena was granted the Protection of Geographical Indication (PGI) by the European Union. The PGI designation was done in an effort to protect the product of Modena, Italy and educate consumers of the true product. This designation was necessary due to the continued history of deceptive marketing practices in Italy and across the globe, on both aging claims and quality levels. It is important to note all of our dark Balsamic Vinegars from Modena, Italy are PGI Certified.

During our recent sourcing trip to Italy, we met with various Balsamic Vinegar artisans to not only continue to source the very best products for our customers, but to learn more about this newly implemented grading system. Based on our findings and continued research and evaluation, we are proud to announce our product naming alignment with the European Union's PGI designation and Independent Associations' Grading System for Balsamic Vinegars. While we will continue to source our Balsamic Vinegars from artisans in Modena, Italy, simply our methodology naming and describing the quality of the products is changing.

In order to define a Balsamic Vinegar of Modena quality standard, it was determined an in-depth study was required. Two independent organizations developed the new Standards of Identity, consisting of four quality categories (4 Leaf, 3 Leaf, 2 Leaf and Basic), with Four Leaf being the highest quality rating. These ratings are based on evaluation scores across the product attributes such as sweetness, fruitiness, aroma, viscosity, color, body and pungency.

Based on these ratings, the following products will be re-named:

Our Traditional 18-Year Balsamic Vinegar of Modena will now be named
"Aceto Balsamico Di Modena, 4 Leaf Quality".

Second, our Aceto Balsamic Di Modena, 12-Year will now be named
Aceto Balsamico Di Modena, 3 Leaf Quality.

It is important to understand, over time, we will no longer be describing this vinegar as being "aged" by the number of years due to the continuous blending processes in the production of Balsamic Vinegars and the lack of accurate controls on aging. It was determined by the Independent Associations exact aging claims cannot be proven and therefore can no longer be used.

Third, our various flavored balsamic vinegars will now be described as 3 Leaf Plus. What this means is the product is simply a blend of balsamic vinegar from both the 3 Leaf and 4 Leaf Quality categories.