Just as integral to the food and wine tradition of the Emilia-Romagna as Parmigiano Reggiano or Lambrusco wine, balsamic vinegar has two major classifications: Aceto Balsamico di Modena IGP and Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale DOP from Modena or Reggio Emilia.
During the Emilia Romagna episode of Searching For Italy, Stanley Tucci visits Gran Deposito Aceto Balsamico Giuseppe Giusti in Modena, the world's oldest balsamic vinegar producer, founded in 1605. His friend Massimo Bottura, chef of the three-star Michelin-rated Osteria Francescana, introduced him to the right place to discover the history of balsamic vinegar.
Claudio Stefani Giusti, the 17th generation to oversee Acetaia Giusti, led the tour and welcomed his guest with a Negroni, the headliner of Tucci's viral social media video, complete with a touch of Giusti Vermouth.
Giusti Vermouth is available in selected stores such as Eataly and/or online.
Giusti Vermouth is an artisanal product made with a selection of red and white wines, including Lambrusco, aromatized with 19 botanicals such as spices, bitter roots, and healing herbs, and sweetened with Saba, the cooked grape must. It ages slowly in the Giusti family's old balsamic vinegar barriques.
“Bringing balsamic vinegar closer to the world of vermouth was a natural step. Both of them represent a very Italian world, very Dolce Vita, similar even at a stylistic level. Both have a very precise iconography comprising coats of arms and medals belonging to the King of Italy, evidence of the past's international exhibitions – a French style that has also influenced other historic brands such as Baratti & Milano, Vermouth Cocchi, and Martini & Rossi. We know bartenders add balsamic vinegar to cocktails, so why not create a special vermouth?” says Claudio Stefani Giusti.
Here's the recipe so you can create it in your home.
Negroni Giusti
1 oz. Vermouth Giusti
1 oz. Bitter Campari
1 oz. Gin
1 bar spoon Giusti Banda Rossa
Add all the ingredients to a mixing glass filled with ice, and stir until well-mixed. Strain into a rocks glass filled with large ice cubes. Garnish with an orange peel.