What is National Balsamic Vinegar of Modena Day?
Balsamic Vinegar has been produced and consumed since Roman times and is among the most prized food products in Italy. Originating from Modena in the Emilia-Romagna region, traditional balsamic vinegar is a dark and concentrated vinegar made from grape must, which includes freshly processed grape juice with all the seeds, skins, and stems. For decades, balsamic vinegar has been a staple condiment in the pantries of American consumers and featured in a diverse array of ways. From salads and vinaigrettes to meat and pasta dishes, as well as cocktails and desserts, simply drizzled on your favorite panini or over chunks of Parmigiano-Reggiano, balsamic vinegar has taken its place as an integral part of American eating and deserves its own National Day.
How is National Balsamic Vinegar of Modena Day observed?
We would celebrate National Balsamic Vinegar Day through various ways and channels and encourage other balsamic brands, related foods, and consumer products to participate. By amplifying it on social media with recipes and promotional giveaways, generating media stories in the U.S. and Italy, planning events and activations, and urging customers both off-premise at supermarkets, and on-premise at food service venues, we can all take part in embracing the milestone day!
Why was National Balsamic Vinegar of Modena Day created?
The first official acknowledgment of the peculiarity of Modena production dates back to March 25, 1933, when the then Minister of Agriculture of Italy recognized for the first time, with an official declaration, the “centuries-old and characteristic balsamic vinegar industry of Modena.” This was essentially the modern birthday of Balsamic Vinegar of Modena.