On The Hunt for Wine and Vinegar

It seems like a stupid thing to really search for. Today I went in search of proper Italian Balsamic Vinegar. While most Balsamic Vinegar is actually made in Italy and just sold under a brand name. I wanted to get it in a bottle that came from Italy.

In Vancouver, the Commercial Drive area is the place to go for anything Italian. There Cindy, James (friends & colleagues of mine) and I found two little Italian food stores. I walked in expecting to pay $20 for some vinegar. Not only was the selection great, but it was cheap too! (Although, if you wanted to shell out for a 25 year old bottle of vinegar, it was $32)

What I don't understand is this: proper Balsamic vinegar is at least 12 years old. So what is the 4 year old vinegar I actually bought?

I just got back from Italy and brought back a bottle of Barolo (Red Piedmontese Italian Wine) for my friend James. I didn't pay a whole lot for it in Italy. I thought it was a reasonably priced bottle of wine. When I gave it to him, I researched it and found out that in Canada a bottle of Barolo is worth $35 - $150. The one I gave him is a 1999 vintage and probably worth $70. Holy Shit!

I searched the BC Liquor Stores in my area and found that they have various bottles of Barolo for sale. Now I'll have to shell out and actually taste the wine I brought him.