Balsamic Vinegar of Modena

Balsamic vinegar of Modena is a variety of balsamic vinegar and an IGP condiment from Italy. It is produced according to various recipes. The IGP production regulations leaves plenty of leeway, allowing the use of grape must (even if it is not from the provinces of Modena and Reggio Emilia) in percentages between 20 and 90% and wine vinegar between 10 and 80%. The use of caramel is allowed, up to 2%. Reading the tag can provide useful information on the ingredients used and the processing methods. Withdrawals and reinforcements are not expected, that are typical of Traditional Balsamic Vinegar; the ingredients, once mixed, must be kept in wood containers for a duration of at least 60 days. If the product is kept there for 3 years or more it's labeled "invecchiato". The Balsamic vinegar of Modena gained the IGP label on 3 July 2009.

Upon submission of the application by Italy, Germany and Greece raised the objection that the protection of the expression "balsamic vinegar" would have strongly damaged their national production, that have been legalized for five years. They emphasized that the words "vinegar" and "balsamic", as generic terms, were not amenable to protection. They made known that they would have voted for the IGP label only in exchange for a recognition of their right to use words "balsamic vinegar" by Italy. Also France opposed, especially for the fact that the denomination "Balsamic Vinegar of Modena" wouldn't have had a reputation distinct from that of the '"Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena", which would mislead the consumer.

After three years of disputes, on 3 July 2009, the European Commission put the balsamic vinegar of Modena in the register of protected geographical indications, with unanimous vote – apart from the "technical" abstention of France".

Right after the protection of the EU in 2009, Greece tried to use a technical norm of the EU – unaware of the geographical protection procedures – to obtain recognition of the definition of "greek balsamic vinegar", confirming the attractiveness of a market which at the time was worth around 400 million Euros per year.

In 1993 the Consorzio Tutela Aceto Balsamico di Modena was born, at the initiative of the largest and oldest manufacturers, for the valorisation of the product, its defense and diffusion worldwide. In 1998 the name was changed to Consorzio Aceto Balsamico di Modena, while keeping the statute unchanged. The consortium mark has been used since January 1999.

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