Castello di Volpaia's red wine vinegar comes from red wine made from a blend of Sangiovese and Canaiolo grapes. It has a rich, penetrating aroma, assertive acidity (7.5%), and full-bodied flavor with notes of oak and berries.

Produced in the cellars of a medieval village in the Chianti hills of Tuscany, Castello di Volpaia's aged red wine vinegar is produced using the truciolo method: the wine is percolated through trucioli (natural wood chips from chestnut barrels), transforming the natural alcohol of the wine into the acetic acid of vinegar while enhancing the wine's complex bouquet. The vinegar reaches its full maturity only after a long, slow barrique aging in small oak and chestnut barrels (225 liters).

The result is an intensely aromatic vinegar of exceptional roundness, with a rich flavor that enhances and brightens everything from grilled veggies to sautéed mushrooms to salads to meats to even fruits such as strawberries and peaches. Use a splash to liven up a long, wintry braise or hearty stew—you’ll be delighted by how the dish perks up!

(A little sediment in the bottom of the bottle is a natural byproduct of the process and will not detract from the qualities of the vinegar.)