Balsamic vinegar is among the products that best represent the history and indigenous traditions of theitalian food. This is why the awards are constantly growing. The last- though a deja vu– is that of the Ministry of Agricultural Policies which for the next three years has conferred the Consortium for the Protection of Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena the task of carrying out the promotion, valorisation, protection, supervision and information of the consumer. All under the label of Denomination Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena DOP. The approval took place in compliance with the provisions of a ministerial decree dated 16 October 2009. The essential requisites for having a product of excellence are indicated there. What does the Consortium actually do? In continuity with the previous certification, it continues to "possess the representativeness requirements of more than 66% of the producer and user category envisaged for each supply chain and has a Statute compliant with ministerial prescriptions". Satisfaction with the good performance and control of activities in a protected and sustainable agricultural land, the President expresses it Henry Corsini : “The Consortium brings together almost all the producers who participate with their daily productive and commercial commitment to the dissemination of the product and its peculiarities. In full compliance with the Statute, it carries out the function of promoting the image of the product, guaranteeing observance of the production regulations and respect for ancient traditions”. Clearly it also supports producers in maintaining quality levels.
Excellence is born in well-kept and controlled territories.
The Modena area produces an average of 10 million liters of vinegar a year with 92% destined for export. The consortium organization also supervises the markets to oppose or denounce cases of imitation. Slovenia, for example, had tried to imitate the product. But not infrequently misleading or incorrect statements have been discovered in large-scale distribution. On the other hand, marketing the DOP product means that the balsamic vinegar production chain takes place only within the territories of the Province of Modena: from the grape harvest to the aging of the product. A productive but also cultural heritage that requires protected land and eco-sustainable processing systems entrusted to the producers. The success of the product is worldwide, also guaranteed by not low prices, suitable for the brand. Another certificate that producers are proud of is that of European Council of 2000. It recognized the specific characteristics of the geographical production area to the province of Modena, rewarded the variety of vineyards, the chemical, physical and sensory requirements for sale and bottling. Finally there is public consolation connoisseur and or simply curious. The recent day of open vinegar cellars attracted thousands of visitors. In addition to the product, people showed attention and interest in the vinegar cellars and more generally in the agricultural treatments practiced in places with little man-made activity. These are economic and microeconomic aspects which the Emilia Romagna Region, attentive to its delicacies, also monitors.
