Giuseppe Giusti: Italy's oldest balsamic vinegar producer (1605)

Giuseppe Giusti is the oldest continuously operating acetaia (balsamic vinegar producer) in the world, founded in 1605 in Modena. If you want a bottle that represents four centuries of craftsmanship, Giusti is a safe choice: their Medaglie line ranges from accessible to exceptional. For newcomers, we recommend the 3 Medaglie; for connoisseurs, the 5 Medaglie.

Who is Giuseppe Giusti?

Giuseppe Giusti is a family business from Modena, the Northern Italian city that forms the heart of balsamic tradition. The acetaia — the attic where balsamic vinegar matures in wooden barrels — has existed since 1605 and is currently run by the seventeenth generation. This makes Giusti not only the oldest balsamic house in Italy but also a living piece of history.

The house still preserves barrels that are more than a hundred years old. From this historic batteria (the series of barrels in which balsamic vinegar gradually thickens) comes the base for their best bottles. Giusti won a gold medal at the World's Fair in 1889 — and those medals are still incorporated into the product names today.

The history behind the medals

When Giuseppe Giusti began showcasing his balsamic vinegars at international exhibitions around 1900, the house won one award after another. To help customers choose, Giusti started classifying his balsamic vinegars with medals: the more medals, the older and more concentrated the vinegar. They still use this logic today.

Every Giusti balsamic vinegar bears the IGP certification (Indicazione Geografica Protetta) from the Consorzio Tutela Aceto Balsamico di Modena IGP — the official control body that monitors origin and aging. The registered IGP status can also be found in the EU database for geographical indications.

What makes Giusti's process special?

Three things distinguish Giusti from the masses. Firstly, the age of the barrels: old barrels release flavors that young barrels simply don't have. Secondly, the types of wood — oak, chestnut, cherry, mulberry — each adding its own accent. Thirdly, the art of blending: the master vinegar maker combines old and young balsamic vinegars to create a consistent profile, year after year.

What exactly do the medals on the label mean?

The medals are Giusti's own quality scale, not an official IGP classification. In practice: 2 Medaglie is young and fresh, 3 Medaglie is the all-rounder, 4 Medaglie is denser and more mature, and 5 Medaglie is the most concentrated — almost syrupy. More medals generally mean longer aging and a higher price.

The Giusti collection by use and price

Balsamic	Profile	Best Use	Tier
Giusti 2 Medaglie	Fresh, lively, thin	Dressings, marinades	Entry-level
Giusti 3 Medaglie	Balanced, smooth	Salads, vegetables, cheese	All-round
Giusti 4 Medaglie	Dense, long finish	Risotto, meat-finish	Premium
Giusti 5 Medaglie	Syrupy, intensely sweet	Drizzling, Parmigiano, dessert	Top
Giusti Bianco	Light, fresh acidity	Fish, light sauces, dressings	White

Which Giusti is suitable as a gift?

For a gift, choose something with allure. The 4 Medaglie comes in a beautiful bottle and immediately looks premium; the 5 Medaglie is for those who want to impress a true connoisseur. Both are recognizably luxurious without needing a DOP budget.

Our tasting note

Tasting note — Giusti 5 Medaglie:

Aroma: dried fig, raisin, a hint of vanilla from the old wood.
Flavor: deeply sweet with a velvety acidic note, long warm finish.
Texture: syrupy, clings to a spoon.
Best use: drizzle over Parmigiano, strawberries, or vanilla ice cream.
Our score: 94/100 — a top-tier balsamic at a fair price.

Awards and quality

Giusti is a regular at international competitions and supplies Michelin-starred restaurants across Europe. The house combines this reputation with complete transparency: every bottle bears the IGP certification and the medal classification, so you know exactly what you're holding. That's precisely why we are happy to keep Giusti in our assortment.

Does Giusti also fit into daily cooking?

Absolutely. The 2 and 3 Medaglie are precisely made for everyday use: over a salad, in a vinaigrette, or with roasted vegetables. You don't have to save good balsamic for special occasions — a Giusti 2 Medaglie already makes an ordinary meal noticeably better.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Giuseppe Giusti so special?

Giusti is the oldest continuously operating balsamic acetaia in the world (1605), with barrels over a hundred years old and seventeen generations of family craftsmanship. This history is reflected in the depth and complexity of their balsamic vinegar.

Which Giusti Medaglie should I buy?

For daily use, the 2 or 3 Medaglie; for finishes and elegant dishes, the 4 Medaglie; for the true connoisseur or as a gift, the 5 Medaglie. More medals mean older, denser, and more intense.

Where can you buy Giusti aceto balsamico in the Netherlands?

At Olijfoliemarkt.nl, we carry the complete Giusti Medaglie line plus the white Bianco, with free shipping from €69.90. This way, you can taste the difference between the tiers without traveling to Modena.

Does Giusti have an IGP or DOP certification?

The Medaglie line bears the IGP certification from the Consorzio Tutela Aceto Balsamico di Modena. This guarantees origin from Modena/Reggio Emilia and aging according to official standards.

Discover the Giusti collection

Ready to taste? Start with the Giusti 3 Medaglie as an all-rounder, or go for the Giusti 5 Medaglie if you want the best. Prefer something fresh and light? Then the Giusti Bianco is your bottle.

Selected with passion, the Olijfoliemarkt.nl team