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words by Carol King The “delicious” taste of some balsamic vinegar bottled in the 18th-century has stunned experts. Italian news agency ANSA reports that a phial of balsamic vinegar was discovered in an old chest inherited by the Gregori family, who originate from Modena and live in Rome. A handwritten note found with the ampule says: “Vinegar taken from a bottle of the Gregori family of Modena in 1740. Today, February 17, 1943, the vinegar is 203 years old. Signed Giulio Jacoli fu Cesare.” The Consorteria dell’Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale (Traditional Balsamic Vinegar Consortium) conducted tests on the balsamic vinegar to rate its appearance, flavour and appearance before approving it for tasting. Expert tasters at the consortium were then amazed to find just how good it tasted and awarded it 307 points. The score indicates the 273-year-old liquid is of excellent quality – the winner of the industry’s top prize held at the Palio di San Giovanni competition in June 2013 scored only 10.8 points more than the older vinegar. The aged balsamic vinegar’s quality is even more surprising given that there are no records available to indicate how it has been stored for hundreds of years.