SABA 500ml by: Acetaia Leonardi in Emilia-Romagna, Italy

Acetaia Leonardi Saba—the sweet, syrupy reduction of Trebbiano and Lambrusco grape must—is a unique and versatile ingredient. The Leonardi family's Trebbiano and Lambrusco grapes are grown in the 7 hectares surrounding the family home and acetaia. After a gentle crushing, the juice and pulp is coarsely filtered and the mosto (mash), is cooked (cotto) in an open cauldron at 175-200°F for over 24 hours, reducing it to about a third of its original volume.

The majority of the concentrated mosto cotto is placed in a batteria to be aged and acidified into various balsamici. Leonardi selects a certain portion of the mosto cotto to become Saba. They age it in large oak casks for four years, thickening the syrup and giving it a deep complexity, without converting it to vinegar.

The result is a pure, sweet, syrupy expression of the Trebbiano and Lambrusco grapes. Saba has a fruity character, raisin-like sweetness, and hint of acidity that complements both sweet and savory dishes. Its uses in the kitchen are endless.