The history of Bongiorno vinegar drinks

At Bongiorno vinegar drinks, balsamic vinegar is at the heart of our recipes. We decided to work with the traditional premium producer Monari Federzoni. Monari Federzone is the oldest Italian company making balsamic vinegar obtaining the first license to bottle this ancient protected product in Italy.

One family's love for the land and a unique tradition are the secrets behind the most precious of balsamic vinegars. One hundred years guided by a true passion for high quality flavours. The high quality of the true Balsamic Vinegar of Modena from Monari Federzoni.

100 years, 4 generations, just one secret: the real Balsamic Vinegar of Modena.

The story of Monari Federzoni balsamic vinegar began in a loft above the grocery store of Mrs. Monari Federzoni in the heart of Modena The first company to request and obtain a Ministry license in 1912 to manufacture and sell Balsamic Vinegar of Modena was Monari Federzoni: this leadership is still testament to its ancient family tradition. Today, almost 100 years and 4 generations later, Monari Federzoni is known and appreciated in over 50 countries worldwide, but the spirit of its products remains the same as it has always been: the love of one family for quality balsamic vinegar in the most authentic tradition of Modena.

We'll share our secret with you.

Wine vinegar and cooked must have always been the condiments par excellence of Italian cuisine. The fermentation and ageing of these ingredients are the crucial elements in Balsamic Vinegar of Modena, a characteristic product of the Modena and Reggio Emilia areas.

Our product is made from the must of grapes typical of Emilia Romagna which are: Lambrusco, Trebbiano, Ancellotta, Albana, Sangiovese, Fortana, Montuni, left to ferment naturally with wine in hardwood vats and casks.

The process that creates balsamic slowly follows the natural ranges of temperature of an area with very hot, humid summers and long, cold winters. Through constant contact with the wood and the natural progress of fermentation, a special alchemy helps intense aromas to develop, creating a characteristically soft and pleasantly full flavour.

This is the unique formula behind an exclusive product that is known worldwide today. Monari Federzoni processes and ages this formula in wood casks and vats with a total capacity of 1,500,000 litres used for the product matured less than 3 years, and in over 2,000 barriques and small casks with a total capacity of 900,000 liters used for the product aged for more than 3 years.

The company has a charming location in the splendid countryside around Modena. It is here, thanks to 74 hectares of vineyards, that Monari Federzoni produces the grapes for the finest products. The entire production process takes place here in close symbiosis with the land – from growing and harvesting to the cooking of the must in open vats. To ensure the best possible quality of raw materials and to closely monitor the entire fermentation process, Monari Federzoni locally produces all its wine vinegar using acetifiers and submerged-cap fermentation which yield a high-acidity vinegar that preserves and enhances the aromas of a carefully selected wine. All this care and devotion – along with 5 types of filtration and constant monitoring of chemical composition, flavour, fragrance and appearance – offer a guarantee of constant quality and give Monari Federzoni balsamic vinegar its unique flavour.

Four bottling lines, distinguished by speed and automation, meet every consumption requirement producing a range of a good 175 items. Some of the most unique among them include production of Organic and Kosher Balsamic Vinegar. The incredible versatility of the range is bolstered by a production capacity of a 80,000 bottles a day as well as a fully-computerized production cycle for all components. It is this focus on the highest possible quality that has made it possible for Monari Federzoni to earn the leading Certifications of Quality System: BRC and IFS (Higher Grade).

Balsamic Vinegar of Modena and PGI certification

In Brussels in June 2009 the PDO and PGI Committee of the European Union awarded the prestigious Protected Geographical Indication label to Balsamic Vinegar of Modena. It’s a historic award which recognizes the importance of a product that epitomizes the reputation enjoyed by Italian produce all over the world, and is one of the most emblematic products of the city of Modena.

The term Protected Geographical Indication, better known as PGI, is a quality certification awarded to food and agricultural products whose quality, reputation or other distinguishing characteristics depend on their geographical origin, and which are produced, processed and/or made in a certain geographical area. For a product to obtain PGI certification, at least one phase of its production process must take place within a designated area. PGI-certified producers must observe stringent rules in the making of their products, and respect for these rules is enforced by a specially-appointed supervisory body.

Since its production processes are in compliance with new PGI requirements, the Monari Federzoni brand is also covered by the PGI label. The award is of particular value to producers like Monari Federzoni who have always placed a premium on the quality and authenticity of their products.