When my Italian neighbors brought out a wooden box containing a slim bottle of balsamic vinegar ( Balsamico Tradizionale ) and urged me to take a giant spoon of the precious liquid, my life changed in that moment. I could no longer bear the sugary and still astringent industrial version of “balsamic vinegar.” The years it took (at least 12) to make the viscous liquid were worth it.
Despite the fact that every supermarket in the world seems to have its own cheap version and unaged of the “balsamic vinegar of Modena” traditional balsamic vinegar, the traditional balsamic vinegar is a completely different flavor. That’s why every foodie on the planet will want:
1) Taste real balsamic vinegar (look for aceto balsamico tradizionale PDO * in distinctive 100ml numbered bottles)
2) Take a pilgrimage to the Balsamic Vinegar Museum in Spilamberto, Italy.
* PDO, Denominazione di Origine Protetta designates food products whose origins are identifiable in the taste, texture or “perfume” of the product and produced in a specific region with all the ingredients from that region, in this case the provinces of Reggio Emilia and Modena .
Where are Spilamberto and the Museo del Balsamico Tradizionale?
Spilamberto, a city of approximately 11,500 people, is located in the province of Modena, in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, 17 km southwest of Modena. The state road SP623, called “Via Modenese”, passes through Spilamberto. To get to Spilamberto by public transport: from Modena train station, take city bus no. 7 to the bus station and then take the bus to Spilamberto.
The Museo del Balsamico Tradizionale is located in via Roncati, 28, in Spilamberto. It is a small museum where you can learn about the process of making balsamic vinegar through a movie, exhibits, and a guided tour. The balsamic is made in a battery of barrels in the museum, so you can smell the wonderful perfume that the process gives off.
The museum has a brochure and guide in English that can be downloaded from the website.
Traditional Balsamic Etiquetas
Traditional balsamic vinegar comes in slim bottles with three label colors pertaining to vinegar aging: orange for at least 12 years, silver for 18, and gold for at least 25 years.
More information about Spilamberto
In addition to the Museum of Traditional Balsamic Vinegar, you will find the Villa Fabriani, an 18th century villa that houses the “Narcissus at the Fountain” by the sculptor G. Obici and the Castle of Spilamberto, founded in 1210. Spilamberto is located along ” La Strada dei Castelli «(Path of the Castles). You can download the Castles in the province of Modena brocure (PDF).
Spilamberto is accessed through the medieval entrance tower, whose lower floors house the small archaeological museum.
The Nature Route is a walking / biking trail along the Panaro River with poplars and willows.
Other Spilamberto culinary favorites are Nocino, a liqueur made from green walnuts harvested on Midsummer night, and Spilamberto Amaretti, a variation on the ubiquitous Italian cracker.
Nearby is the town of Vignola, whose castle is in good condition and was known as the “sentinel of the river Panaro”.
The Festival of Saint John (Fiera di San Giovanni) is held in Spilamberto at the end of June and revolves around agricultural products, crafts and local industries. There is a street market on via Obici at that time. The Palio di San Giovanni is celebrated at the festival, where the 12 best traditional balsamic vinegars are chosen from over 1000. For more information, see: Italy’s twelve best traditional balsamic vinegars
Restaurants near the Museum in Spilamberto
Spilamberto Bed and Breakfast
Bed and Breakfast Balsamico is about 200 meters from the balsamic vinegar museum, and is reasonably cheap.
Books that mention Spilamberto
Spilamberto Vinegar (see prices), by Doris Muscatine, deals with food and traditional preparation techniques of Italian cuisine.
