Customer Reviews

La Piana Gold Quality Aged Balsamic Vinegar PGI

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I purchased this La Piana Balsamic Vinegar for a fabulous French foodie-friend with a fiendish obsession for balsamic vinegar. Now, I should tell you that, having grown up in Provence, my friend has impeccable taste and an extremely refined palette. Since I have never tasted this brand of balsamic vinegar, I was a little nervous to order it.

No worries.

My friend is crazy about La Piana. She tells me she is using it on everything - even ice cream. She has declared this the best vinegar she has ever tasted.

Note, The Balsamic Vinegar Cookbook by Meesha Halm is a great cookbook that offers tons of recipes. I purchased this for my friend as well and she raves about it. Here's a link:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0002251337

This is one of the best 20-year balsamic vinegars for the price. I'm American-Italian with a fussy palate inherited from my Dad, and this sweet, syrupy balsamic is amazing on salads, fruits, vegetables ..... just about anything you can think of. I don't use it in cooking or marinating because it seems wasteful to me.
Try it - I think you'll enjoy it!
Ciao Tutti !!

Update: 07/01/11
Unfortunately, I have not purchased the La Piana for several months now. The flavor and texture has changed dramatically, in my opinion. Also, the labeling is different from my earlier purchases.

Folks, I ordered this based on reviews I had read here. I wish that Amazon would at least provide the information on the label so a consumer can make a educated choice. First and foremost, this is not real balsamic vinegar. It is Wine Vinegar & cooked grape must, with a acidity of 6%. True Balsamic Vinegar ingredients is: "is made from the Trebbiano grape. The rich brown color comes from being aged in wood casks, often for decades. Although it is made from grapes, balsamic vinegar isn't produced from wine (as are most vinegars). The authentic product may not contain any wine vinegars - the grape juice is simply reduced and then made directly into vinegar." and will have acidity of 4%.

I made the mistake of opening my bottle and will see if Amazon will take it back.

This is a fantastic Balsamico de Italia (Reggio Emilia). I have learned quite a bit about Balsamic Vinegar in the past year, and I'm stunned how I enjoy the sweet finish of this one. While I would not have believed an Aceto Balsamico could truly be served as a drizzle on melon or even as a 'thimble-full' aperitif, La Piana 20 year truly has the right stuff. If you didn't think you could be a fan of Balsamico, think again. One thing I will say, however, is that this vinegar (to me) is a sweet finish and I prefer a Lucini 10 year or Acetum 2 leaf on my asparagus, cucumbers or tomato because I like the sharper acidity. This one is so robust and incredibly balanced, that it works well on a vegetable with a bit of added salt, but I would defer to La Piana 20 year for a sweet creme gelato drizzle or a strawberry dip and I'd go with the spicier sharper vinegars for the earlier meal courses.Columela Extra Virgin Olive Oil 17 oz & Lucini Balsamic vinegar riserva 10 years old 8.5 oz (set includes both) Lucini Balsamic vinegar riserva 10 years oldAcetum Balsamico Vinegar - Aceto Balsamico di Modena Two Leaves Quality (Two Leaf)Acetum Balsamic Vinegar - 3 Leaf - 8.8oz. Laura Bottle

This vinegar does not taste like 20 years old. I have bought in Italy a 15 years old balsamic for about the same price, and there is a big difference between the two. This La Piana is much mroe acidic and lacks the sweet taste and the thick look the other has. Won't order this item again...

Sorry, but Penguin Mints seem to sell a number of authentic-sounding balsamics that are just not the real thing.

Pretty good. Price is cheap for a 20yr old balsamic.
Not quite as good as a Modena.

Aged balsamic can have many different styles from strong, bold and acitic to smooth, sweet and long finish. This is a great blend of the 2 styles and wonderful when added to a little vanilla ice cream. Sounds a little strange, but it is true Italian dessert style!

I have purchased this product for the second time now as I feel it the best value for money balsamic vinegar. I use it primarily as salad dressing.

Superb taste, incomparable quality. Life is too short to go without La Piana Aged Balsamic!