We set out to find balsamic vinegars that go beyond the standard supermarket bottle – the kind that actually tastes like something was made with care, not just vinegar and caramel colouring squeezed into a label. What emerged from our search was a mix of concentrated vincotto drizzles, fruit-infused takes, and gift-friendly collections from makers who understand that a good vinegar is an ingredient worth savouring.
Whether you're finishing a plate of burrata, glazing roasted vegetables, or simply looking to stock a pantry shelf that doesn't embarrass you, these are the ones we'd reach for ourselves.
Vincotto is what happens when you reduce balsamic to its absolute essence – concentrated, glossy, almost syrupy – and this two-pack gives you the kind of thing you'll want to keep within arm's reach of the kitchen. A drizzle over soft cheese, roasted figs, or even vanilla ice cream is all it takes.
Fig and date transform a traditional balsamic into something with genuine depth – not a sugar rush, but a savoury sweetness that works as well on prosciutto as it does on roasted squash. The half-litre bottle means you won't run out mid-gesture.
Due Vittorie's apple vinegar lands somewhere between a traditional balsamic and something altogether more versatile – it brings a clean, bright acidity to dressings and marinades without the heaviness you'd expect. Rather good shaken into fizzy water with ice on a summer afternoon, too.
English raspberries give this vinegar a tart, almost floral character that feels both homegrown and unexpectedly sophisticated. It's the sort of thing that makes a simple rocket and blue cheese salad feel like something you've actually thought about.
If you're the type to get indecisive in the vinegar aisle – or you know someone who is – this hamper takes the guesswork out of it by offering six different expressions in one box. It's a solid gift for anyone who cooks with intention.
Three 250ml bottles of apple cider vinegar dressing mean you can experiment across different uses without committing to a full litre of one thing. Nicely packaged too, if you're sending it somewhere or wrapping it up.
