When seeking the most authentic and best Italian Orlando food, there is only one restaurant to consider: Christini’s Ristorante Italiano. Likewise, when balsamic vinegar is included in a recipe, there is only one to choose: balsamic vinegar from Modena, Italy. It is truly one of the most delightful products exported from Italy to the United States. The balsamic vinegar traditionally produced in Modena is considered to be the best in the world.
The key to the beautiful and distinctive finish of Modena’s balsamic vinegar is a result of the great devotion to the fermenting of the grapes. Believe it or not, white Trebbiano di Castelvetro grapes are used to begin the process. Most folks are under the impression that balsamic vinegar is made from purple or red grapes. The grapes are pressed, and the juice is boiled until it is reduced in volume by about a third of its original volume. From there, the reduction is poured into specially prepared barrels that have been rinsed with boiling vinegar.
The first aging lasts about a year, at which time the pre-vinegar is transferred into wooden kegs. As the vinegar becomes more syrup-like at the end of that year, it is placed into smaller wooden barrels. The cycle continues on for anywhere from 12 to 35 years. Every reduction causes the vinegar to reduce and thicken and develop unique flavor as the types of wood are changed during the aging process, each contributing to the deliciousness of the finished products. This process is a time-honored tradition for over 900 years in this Italian region.
Don’t be fooled by imitation balsamic. Many manufacturers have discovered workarounds to expedite the manufacturing process and blend vinegar with concentrate only fermented and reducing the mixture over a period of only three to four years. Once you’ve savored the flavor of aceto balsamico di Modena, you will never want to use anything else. This magic elixir only requires a few precious drops to add spectacular flavor to green salads, Caprese salads, and even steak. True connoisseurs savor it on strawberries and vanilla gelato. Thick, sweet, and tart balsamic vinegar should not be considered a condiment; it seems to plebian a word to us. Rather, it is a delicacy.
The same can be said of Christini’s Ristorante Italiano. It’s not just a joint with Italian food in Orlando; it is the quintessential fine dining restaurant in all of Central Florida, featuring authentic Italian cuisine. It’s a treasure that has been cultivated in Chris Christini’s unique way for over 30 years. Reservations are suggested. Call us today and plan to embark on a culinary excursion to the best food Italy has to offer.
