Wine Vinegar is a subcategory comprising 18 products, from ordinary table vinegars to exceptional specialities aged for decades. At the heart of the premium range are the Toro Albalá balsamic vinegars made from Pedro Ximénez sherry, available in 5-year, 25-year and 50-year versions. They are complemented by Pago Baldios vinegars (transparent, Grand Reserva, Full Moon), balsamic vinegar made from Cava by Celler Kripta and the organic vinaigrette with mountain honey from Muria.
How to find your way around this category
Classic wine and balsamic vinegars (Pago Baldios Gran Reserva, transparent balsamic vinegar) are all-purpose vinegars for dressings, marinades and cooking. Cava vinegar from Celler Kripta offers a gently winey, sparkling nuance. The organic vinaigrette with honey is a ready-made salad dressing. The Toro Albalá vinegars made from Pedro Ximénez are long-aged specialities - the longer the ageing, the denser and more concentrated the flavour.
For everyday cooking and salads a classic wine or balsamic vinegar is enough, while for gourmet seasoning and for gifts you can reach for the aged Toro Albalá vinegars.
Toro Albalá vinegars by age
Version
Ageing time
Character
PX Chef Special
Shorter ageing
Versatile, suited to the kitchen
Reserva
5 years
More balanced, more concentrated
Gran Reserva 1998
Long ageing, vintage
Dense, complex flavour
25 years
25 years
Very concentrated, syrupy
50 years
50 years
Extremely rare, luxurious
You will always find the exact ageing time and the recommended use in the detail of the particular product.
How Pedro Ximénez vinegar is made
Toro Albalá vinegar is made from Pedro Ximénez, the sweet sherry from the Andalusian region of Montilla-Moriles, which gradually ages and oxidises in oak barrels using the traditional solera system - the same method that is also used in making sherry itself. The longer the vinegar ages, the more water evaporates and the more the flavour concentrates into a thick, sweet-and-sour, almost syrupy consistency.
Use long-aged Toro Albalá vinegar sparingly, a few drops at a time - it works excellently on ice cream, strawberries or a hard cheese such as Parmigiano.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a classic and a long-aged balsamic vinegar?
A long-aged vinegar has a denser, more concentrated and sweeter flavour thanks to the water that evaporates during ageing, whereas a classic vinegar is more liquid and more versatile for everyday cooking.
What should the 50-year-old Toro Albalá vinegar be used for?
Use it sparingly, a few drops at a time, to season ice cream, fruit or hard cheeses - it is a luxury speciality, not an everyday kitchen vinegar.
What is Cava vinegar?
It is a balsamic vinegar made from the sparkling wine Cava, with a gently winey, slightly acidic flavour.
Is the Muria organic vinaigrette ready to use?
Yes, it is a ready-made dressing with mountain honey that you can simply use directly on a salad without any further mixing.
How should an opened balsamic vinegar be stored?
In a dry, cool place, out of direct sunlight and tightly closed. Thanks to its high sugar content and acidity it keeps for a long time even after opening.
Whether you are looking for a vinegar for everyday cooking or for gourmet seasoning. Also: longer ageing means a denser flavour and a higher price.
What we base this on
On the Toro Albalá production tradition and the solera system of sherry ageing. Also: we verify the specific ageing time and volume on the individual products.
Where the limits are
The longest-aged vinegars come in limited quantities and are correspondingly expensive. Also: you will always find current stock availability in the product detail.
What this category does not cover
Neither olive oils nor wines. Also: you will find those in the Olive oils and Wines and drinks categories.