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12 best balsamic vinegars for drizzling on salads, pasta dishes and sweet treats
The GHI tested 18 varieties to find the winner
Tested by Callum BlackFood and Drink Testing Manager
Great for drizzling over summer salads, for adding to meat marinades, enjoying (as they do in Emilia-Romagna) with hard cheese or even serving with strawberries and ice cream, the best balsamic vinegars will add punchy flavour to any dish.
It’s a wonderfully rich and complex condiment – often nicknamed black gold – due to its barrel ageing process. With a well-balanced savoury tang and sweetness, flavours can range from black fruits and chocolate to creamy vanilla and even tropical fruits.
But it can be hard to know where to start. Which is where our GHI tasting panel comes in. Armed with bread for dipping, they got tasting to find the best bottles for summer.
Best balsamic vinegars 2024
These are our experts’ top picks at a glance but keep scrolling for our full reviews and everything you need to know about best balsamic.
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Best for cheeseboards
Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Balsamic Vinegar Of Modena 5 leaf 250ml
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How is balsamic vinegar made?
Hailing from Modena in northern Italy, the traditional method of making balsamic vinegar uses grape must – the freshly pressed juice of grapes (Trebbiano is one of the most popular, but it can also include Lambrusco, Occhio di Gatta, Berzemino and more) that have been grown in the Reggio Emilia region.
It’s aged in a series of varying sizing oak barrels for at least 12 years, to deliver that signature intense colour texture and flavour.
How can you tell if balsamic vinegar is high quality?
There are three classifications of Italian balsamic vinegar. These are:
- Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena DOP
- Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Reggio Emilia DOP
- Aceto Balsamico di Modena IGP
The first two denote balsamic vinegars made in the Modena and Reggio Emilia regions, and are usually more expensive. They have protected designation of origin status and boast their own recognised bottle design, which differentiates them from each other.
The third certification is found on balsamic vinegar that's made in either region and has protected geographical indication status, but it’s mixed with a little wine vinegar, making a cheaper bottle.
Balsamic vinegar isn't a protected term, so other countries can make their own versions. However, it’s important to note that these don’t follow the same strict rules when it comes to production, so quality can vary, but it all comes down to personal preference. We have included a bottle from Spain on our list below, which our testers liked for its more tropical fruit aromas.
How we test balsamic vinegars
To find the best balsamic vinegars, the GHI tested 18 bottles from supermarkets and independent retailers. They were served blind to a panel of consumers to avoid any brand bias. Testers were looking for a well balanced balsamic vinegar with a good level of sweetness and acidity.
Bottles range in price from a budget £1.69 right up to premium examples, like our winner, which costs £55. So, there’s an option for every price point.
These are the ones we’ll be drizzling on everything this summer.
Score: 91/100
Coming in a premium, stout glass bottle finished with gold foil and its own little pourer, this balsamic vinegar definitely looks the part. It may feel like an indulgent purchase, but it was a big hit with our testers, reminding them of red wine and molasses.
It’s been aged in small wooden barrels, giving it a woody, earthy flavour, with a good balance of sweetness and acidity. Testers described it as “incredibly thick, viscous and shiny” and thought it would complement a whole range of dishes, from pasta and meat to dessert.
Score: 90/100
Praised by our testers, who described the flavour as “impeccably balanced with lovely notes of molasses, pomegranate, plum, chocolate and honey”, this bottle also has strong fig and chocolate aroma, which is well balanced with sweet and sour notes.
It's one of the most affordable options on our list, but what's even better is that a little goes a long way. Testers thought its thick and glossy texture would make it a good choice for marinades, drizzling and dipping.
Guiseppe Giusti 4 Gold Medals Cube Balsamic Vinegar 250ml
Score: 87/100
This bottle looks so good, it shouldn't be hidden away in a cupboard. It also tastes as good as it looks according to our testers, who found it “silky” and “smooth” with a rich flavour and notes of burnt caramel, pomegranate and plum, mixed with a woody earthiness.
They also thought it was extremely well rounded with an excellent level of both sweetness and acidity. This is one to save for special occasions.
Selfridges Selection Artisan Balsamic vinegar of Modena 250ml
Score: 84/100
As part of the Selfridges Selection range, you know you're going to get something special with this bottle.
Testers liked the subtle hint of honey sweetness and deep flavours of plum and blackberry. They also enjoyed the smoky flavour and “almost creamy texture”, which they thought would be delicious served over steak, chicken or pork.
Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Balsamic Vinegar Of Modena 5 leaf 250ml
Score: 84/100
Testers likened this Sainsbury's offering to a PX Sherry and suggested pairing it with your cheeseboard or an antipasto sharing platter.
They thought it would pair particularly well with sharp cheeses, such as a manchego or parmesan, as it combines the sweet and savoury tang of molasses with notes of oak, chocolate and plum.
Score: 83/100
Fans of dark fruits will love this balsamic from the Tesco Finest range, as it’s packed with strawberry, plum and cherry, which feature alongside deep woody notes, subtle molasses and other spices. The acidity is prominent but well balanced and it has a dark, glossy colour.
Waitrose No.1 Aceto Balsamico di Modena I.G.P 250ml
Score: 81/100
Waitrose's No.1 range reliably offers up quality products, and this vinegar is no different. Testers enjoyed its complex aroma and mellow tang, which is paired with the syrupy smooth sweetness of molasses.
This would be delicious drizzled over strawberries, paying homage to the classic dessert from Italy's Emilia-Romagna region.
Score: 81/100
Bursting with juicy fresh red grapes, there's plenty of sharp vinegar and acidic tang with this balsamic vinegar. Though it doesn't quite have the maturity of some of the other bottles tested, it's still a great everyday balsamic for brightening up salads, especially considering its price.
Score: 76/100
This aged balsamic has a texture akin to honey and our testers thought it would be perfect for elevating a simple ice cream dessert. Expect woody notes combined with fruity hits from pomegranate, raspberry and cherry.
Testers described the flavour as “equal parts sharp, tangy and sweet”, giving it a well-rounded, complex finish.
Score: 75/100
With a honey-like sweetness, this vinegar delivers a punchy aroma. Our panel enjoyed the notes of treacle and dark chocolate, as well as darker fruits such as cherry, blackberries and plum.
Most thought it had a good balance of acidity and sweetness, though some found it a little too acidic.
Brindisa Sotaroni Barrel-aged Spanish Balsamic Vinegar 750ml
Score: 74/100
Brindisa's balsamic is the only Spanish bottle on our list, and it offers a non-traditional flavour twist, with tropical fruit notes, including mango, pomegranate and lime.
The panel said it has a mellow aroma and is nicely balanced between sweet, acidic and sour flavours.
Score: 74/100
As the cheapest and largest bottle on our list, Aldi's balsamic vinegar is a worthy buy for your store cupboard. Note that it is very runny, and while our testers enjoyed the beautiful red wine aroma with notes of liquorice, vanilla and dried figs, it is less complex than others on our list.
Callum is our Food and Drink Testing Manager and has been part of the world of professional catering for 10 years, from cheffing to food manufacturing. While working in manufacturing he specialised in bespoke product and menu development for several start-ups and well-known brands such as Wrap It Up! and HOP Vietnamese. He holds the WSET Level 2 in wine, a Level 3 in spirits and has a particular interest in agave spirits.
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