Balsamic Vinegars discussion...

This thread is sort of an offshoot from the Olive Oil thread, which is here:
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/933251/

I checked the Cook's Illustrated website and these are the two highest rated Balsamic vinegars:

Best Supermarket brand:

Lucini Gran Riserva Balsamico

Best Traditional Brand:

Cavalli Gold Seal Extra Vecchio Aceto Balsamico

I have not tried to find the Lucini Gran in any local grocery stores yet. The CI website gives this as a source for the Lucini Gran Balsamic Vinegar:

Specialty Food America! Inc. Phone: 888-881-1633
website: http://www.specialtyfoodamerica.com

The Lucini Gran sells for $15.00 for 8.5 oz (250 ml). To find this on the companies website, do a search since it will take hours to actually find the product by just going through the website. (:o( Could be operator-failure on my part, too. (:o)

For the Cavalli Gold Seal, the CI website gives this source info:

Salumeria Italiana, Phone: 800-400-5916
website: http://www.salumeriaitaliana.com

The Cavalli Gold Seal sells for $190.00 USD for 3.3 oz and is a minimum of 25 years old. If anyone buys this, please let us know your comments. You can also get a deal on a case of 6, 3.3 oz bottles for ONLY $950.00 USD

Has anyone ever used either of these balsamic vinegars? Your opinion?

Any other brand(s) that you like?

I am going to see if I can find the Lucini Gran in a local store before ordering on-line.
(Edited to add the Olive Oil link to this thread)

This message was edited Dec 23, 2008 1:20 PM