balsamic vinegar

[ bawl-som-ik vin-i-ger, ‐-sam‐ ]

1. a sweetish, aromatic vinegar made from the must of white grapes and aged in wood barrels.

balsamic vinegar

noun

1. a type of dark-coloured sweet Italian vinegar made from white grapes and aged in wooden barrels over a number of years

Word History and Origins

Origin of balsamic vinegar¹

First recorded in 1980–85; translation of Italian aceto balsamico, literally, “restorative vinegar”; so called from its supposed medicinal effects, likened to balsam

Example Sentences

Five percent acidity is standard, while most wine and balsamic vinegars fall in the six to seven percent range.

From Popular-Science

The meaty spread embraces duck rillettes, head cheese made from delicious pig parts and hinting of star anise, and caramelized onions, which are dark, sticky and swollen with reduced balsamic vinegar.

From Washington Post

Remove the asparagus from the oven, drizzle with the balsamic vinegar and toss to coat.

From Washington Post

Now drizzle in the balsamic vinegar and slap your chicken around the bowl.

From The Daily Beast

Gaby Dalkin takes out her high-end olive oil and blends it with balsamic vinegar to pour over caprese salad.

From The Daily Beast

But the manager says turnover is high and that he sells out of even such pricey items as Pringles, Nescafe, and balsamic vinegar.

From The Daily Beast

The flavor of good, tart apples and aged balsamic vinegar makes a wonderfully savory yet light fall first course.

From The Daily Beast