Consorzio Aceto Balsamico di Modena (Consortium of Balsamic Vinegar of Modena) was founded in 1993 with the denomination ‘Consortium for Protection of Balsamic Vinegar of Modena’, for the initiative of about 10 manufacturers of this typical local vinegar. Since then, the Consortium distinguished as the main actor for the protection of the product’s denomination, attracting several other companies of the industry.

In 1994 Consortium applied for the registration of the denomination ‘Aceto Balsamico di Modena’ as Protected Geographic Indication (PGI).

Starting from 1998, Consorzio Aceto Balsamico di Modena adopted an internal Regulation, binding all its Members to observe production methods and procedures aimed to guarantee the respect of the traditional manufacturing process, and to grant high quality to the final product: the same rules were then adopted in the Standard of Identity which was submitted to the European Commission in order to obtain the release of the PGI recognition. Consumers, thanks to the Consortium seal and the Voluntary product certification, are granted that their Balsamic Vinegar of Modena is manufactured according to the traditional methods, and it has been packed in the original area.

The Consorzio is directly acting for the defense of the denomination, and for the protection of the original manufacturing Territory, in strict cooperation with the Italian Ministry for Agricolture and Forestry; the continuous commitment of the Consortium finally brought to the registration of the denomination Aceto Balsamico di Modena (Balsamic Vinegar of Modena) as a Protected Geographic Indication (P.G.I.) within the European Union, which took place in July 2009.

The registration as a PGI is not to be considered as a final target, but rather as a new starting point for the Consortium’s activities: from one side,  Consortium is committed to monitoring the marketplace and to contrast imitative products; from another it works with consulting functions with the Ministry to obtain the regulation of manufacturing issues and of product controls; from another one again, it promotes the product and its features, both by media actions, and taking part into events and shows, on a national and international level, often in cooperation and partnership with other Consortia for the protection of several other typical food specialties.

Under a promotional standpoint, Consorzio Aceto Balsamico di Modena put a great deal of effort along the years: particularly, it was the founding member of the Organizing Committee of the event  "2002 Year of Balsamico" and actually is a member of “L'Acetaia d'Italia" (The Vinegar Factory of Italy, www.acetaiaditalia.it ), with a program of several events, both in Italy and abroad.

Every year, since 2006, Consorzio has been sponsoring the winners of the “Food goes Balsamic Black” contest (“Il cibo si tinge di nero Balsamico”), in cooperation with the well-known Hotel and Culinary School of Serramazzoni. The students present food recipes which combine Balsamic Vinegar of Modena and a typical Italian or foreign food specialty.

Consorzio Aceto Balsamico di Modena represent 27 companies involved in all the steps of the manufacturing line. See ‘members’ page for a list and details of all companies.

 

The current Board of Directors, which took office on 06/05/2010, is as follows: