A Promising Harvest for Our Vinegars

September is harvest time, a key moment that defines the quality of the raw material for everything we do: the grape. Because without good grapes there is no good wine. And without good wine there is no good vinegar.

After several difficult years marked by extreme drought, the 2025 campaign arrives with good news for the wine sector. According to data from INCAVI and the Catalan Association of Oenologists, in Catalonia and much of Spain growers have been able to harvest grapes in much better sanitary condition and with superior quality. This improvement in conditions is key to producing wines and therefore vinegars with personality, structure, and clean aromas.

Favorable climate conditions and higher yield

Autumn and spring rains and a moderate summer have favored the recovery of the vineyard. The production areas we usually work with at Badia Vinagres—such as the wineries in Penedès for white varieties and those in Tarragona and Lleida for red varieties—have approached this harvest with much more optimistic expectations.

Although there were some episodes of diseases such as mildew and hailstorms in certain areas, the first estimates point to a 10% increase in production compared to last year. But beyond quantity, what we truly celebrate is quality. This year the land gives us grapes with a good balance between acidity and alcohol content, an essential condition for obtaining top-level vinegars.

Quality grapes for excellent vinegars

At Badia Vinagres we work with carefully selected grapes and wines, made from local varieties that respect the environment. The quality of the grape not only affects the organoleptic profile of the vinegar but also its yield, stability, and, of course, its cost. That is why we closely monitor each campaign.

This 2025 harvest gives us the opportunity to continue innovating, to continue betting on natural vinegars with character, made with raw materials that meet our most demanding standards.

A future full of challenges and also of hope

Despite this respite, the wine sector continues to face major challenges such as climate uncertainty, the rising cost of grapes, and the urgent need to practice more sustainable viticulture. Cooperation between growers, wineries, and producers like us will be essential to ensure the continuity and excellence of a product that has been part of our culture since ancient times.

At Badia Vinagres we remain true to our commitment: to transform the best raw material into unique vinegars.

Melon Gazpacho with Apple Vinegar

:: Ingredients ::

800 g ripe tomatoes
60 g green peppeR
120 g cucumber
50 g onion
800 g melon
60 ml Gardeny apple vinegar
100 ml water
70 ml virgin olive oil
Fresh mint leaves
1 or 2 garlic cloves (optional)
Salt

:: Preparation ::

Wash and dice the tomatoes and green pepper. Then clean, peel, and cut the melon, cucumber, and onion, and set everything aside.
Peel the garlic and place all the chopped ingredients in a blender with the apple vinegar, water, mint leaves, and olive oil. Blend everything. Add salt to taste, mix well, and chill in the fridge until ready to serve. You can strain it if desired.
Serve with diced melon, cucumber slices, and fresh mint leaves. Add a drizzle of apple vinegar and olive oil to taste.

Did you enjoy this recipe? Keep discovering how to use our vinegars and sweet & sour condiments.

Broccoli dumplings with sweet and sour sauce

7 January, 2019

Coconutbowl with Tempranillo wine vinegar

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Vinegar, a World to Discover

When we talk about vinegar, we often think of the classic wine or apple types, the most common ones in our kitchens. But vinegar is much more than a simple ingredient — it’s the result of a meticulous process that begins with the selection of the finest wine. At Badia Vinagres, we don’t settle for standard raw materials; we work exclusively with high-quality organic wines, which allow us to produce vinegars with a unique personality and flavor nuances that truly stand out.

The Importance of Grape Variety

Each grape variety brings its own specific organoleptic characteristics, which are reflected in the final vinegar. This is why selecting the wines we work with is key to creating vinegars with identity, complexity, and a depth of flavor that goes far beyond acidity.

At Badia Vinagres, we choose grape varieties that offer an aromatic profile, structure, and fruity or floral nuances, making each vinegar unique and ideal for a wide range of culinary uses. Some of our signature varieties include:

Merlot Agridulce (Sweet and Sour Vinegar): A vinegar with great aromatic intensity, perfect for dressings that elevate salads to the next level.
Cabernet Sauvignon Balsamic Vinegar: Smooth tannins with a sweet touch, ideal for meat dishes or sophisticated reductions.
Riesling Agridulce: A silky and vibrant variety that adds an elegant and delicate touch to tropical fruit salads.
Pedro Ximénez Balsamic Vinegar: Naturally balanced sweetness with a unique balsamic note, perfect for sauces and mayonnaise.
Muscatel Balsamic Vinegar: Very aromatic and floral, offering great versatility in the kitchen.

Each vinegar is unique and distinct, so we invite you to discover them all and experiment with their many culinary applications.

The market offers many types of vinegar, but not all of them are made from selected, quality wines. Many producers opt for more affordable, standard raw materials, resulting in vinegars that are acidic but lack depth. At Badia Vinagres, each vinegar captures the essence of the wine it comes from, providing a richness of flavor that makes it truly one-of-a-kind.

This specialization allows us to offer a gastronomic and innovative range that takes vinegar to a whole new level — as in the case of our Gardeny range. These products are designed for sophisticated dishes, creative combinations, and even applications in mixology.

The Culture of Vinegar

Catalonia is producing some truly exceptional vinegars. More and more producers are innovating, creating high-quality products and contributing to the growing vinegar culture. This excites us because it means that consumers are becoming more aware of the importance of choosing a good vinegar, just as they do with good olive oil or wine. We must continue to support and promote this sector!

These lines are an invitation to discover, experiment, and enjoy vinegar like never before. Discover the pleasure of cooking with high-quality vinegars.

Vinegar: Your Best Ally in the Kitchen

Did you know that vinegar can balance and enhance the flavors of your dishes? Today, we’re sharing some practical ways to give it a starring role in your cooking and achieve amazing results.

Enhance Sweet Flavors

The acidity of vinegar contrasts with the sweetness of ingredients like fruits and desserts, creating a perfect balance. Let’s start with some delicious sweet pairings you’ll love!

Strawberries with vinegar. The acidity enhances the fruit’s natural sweetness. At Badia Vinagres, we have the perfect option to pair with them: Merlot Gardeny sweet and sour vinegar. Here’s a link to the recipe in case you want to try a healthier version of the classic strawberries and cream.
Pineapple with vinegar. If you love pineapple, try it with Riesling Gardeny sweet and sour vinegar—it’s an ideal pairing!
Orange with vinegar. Since it’s still orange season, we suggest a delightful dessert: sliced orange with a few drops of sweet and sour vinegar with orange blossom honey Gardeny.

Enhance Savory Flavors

In savory dishes, a few drops of vinegar can intensify flavors without adding extra salt. Take note of these ideas—they’ll surprise you and elevate the taste of your favorite traditional dishes!

Lentils with vinegar. Just before serving, add a tablespoon of organic Cabernet wine vinegar from Badia and mix well. Its acidity will enhance the flavor without the need for extra salt.
Beef stew with vinegar. Five minutes before serving, add a touch of Cabernet Gardeny balsamic wine vinegar. This final touch will balance the flavors and enhance the intensity of the dish.
Scrambled eggs with spinach and vinegar. Add a few drops of Pedro Ximénez Gardeny balsamic vinegar just before serving to create a fresh contrast and boost the flavor of the spinach.

Cut Through Greasy Flavors

The acidity of vinegar helps reduce the greasy sensation on the palate, making dishes lighter and more balanced. Here are some surprising ideas that won’t leave you indifferent.

Salads with Muscat balsamic vinegar. It’s perfect for dressings with rich ingredients like avocado, nuts, or cheese. Its acidity adds freshness to the dish.
Catalan-style fish and chips. Try fried sardines with a touch of cava balsamic vinegar. This delicate contrast enhances the flavor of fried fish!

With these ideas, vinegar becomes an essential ingredient in your kitchen, adding balance and surprising nuances to your dishes. Get inspired to experiment with our vinegars and discover how they can transform your culinary experience!

Vinegar, a Fermented Treasure for Your Health

At a time when natural and healthy products are gaining prominence on our tables, vinegar has established itself as an essential ingredient. Beyond its characteristic flavor, this kitchen ally is the result of an ancient process that, over the centuries, has captivated palates and contributed to well-being: fermentation. But what makes fermented foods, like vinegar, so beneficial for health and, at the same time, a growing trend?

The fermentation process: Fermentation is a biochemical process in which the sugars in a food are transformed by the action of microorganisms such as yeasts and bacteria. In the case of vinegar, this journey begins with alcoholic fermentation, when the sugars are converted into alcohol, and continues with acetic fermentation, in which the alcohol is transformed into acetic acid—the essence that gives vinegar its unique flavor and character.

Although this process may seem almost magical, it is entirely natural and has been perfected over centuries to provide us with a healthy, versatile product with endless applications in cooking and beyond.

The benefits of fermented foods, including vinegar, are vast and well-recognized:

Improved digestive health: Thanks to the probiotics (microorganisms) generated during fermentation, vinegar helps balance gut microbiota, which is essential for overall well-being.
Antioxidant properties: Vinegar contains bioactive compounds such as polyphenols and other antioxidants that help combat free radicals.
Blood sugar regulation: Various studies have shown that moderate consumption of vinegar can help control glucose levels after meals.
Natural detoxification: Vinegar supports liver function by aiding in toxin processing and promoting better elimination of waste substances from the body.
A weight management ally: Acetic acid can promote a feeling of satiety, making vinegar a valuable addition to balanced diets.

Fermented Foods in Traditional Kitchens and Gourmet Cuisine

Fermented foods like miso, kimchi, and kombucha have transitioned from being staples in traditional cuisines to becoming true stars of modern gastronomy. In this context, vinegar holds a privileged place thanks to its great versatility: from vinaigrettes and sauces to sophisticated reductions, unique pairings with a wide variety of foods, and creative applications in mixology.

At Badia Vinagres, we have anticipated this trend, offering a range that includes classic vinegars such as white wine, red wine, and apple vinegar, as well as more innovative options like Riesling sweet and sour vinegar, orange blossom honey vinegar, or cava balsamic vinegar, among many others.

How Can You Incorporate Vinegar into Your Daily Routine?

On an empty stomach: A tablespoon of apple cider vinegar diluted in water is ideal for stimulating digestion and starting the day with energy.
In the kitchen: Add a touch of vinegar to your stews, sauces, or salads to enhance their flavors and elevate your recipes.
In beverages: Try original mocktails or refreshing drinks with a vinegar base, adding a fresh and sophisticated touch.

This 2025, let yourself be inspired by the richness of fermented products and celebrate health, tradition, and innovation. Discover everything the world of BADIA and GARDENY vinegars has to offer and transform your routine!

Vinegar Tonic

:: Ingredients ::

70 ml white grape juice
100 ml tonic water
30 ml Chardonnay Gardeny balsamic vinegar
5 g lemon peel
2 juniper berries
2 ice cubes

:: Preparation ::

Pour the white grape juice into a mixing glass.
Add the Chardonnay Gardeny balsamic vinegar and stir gently to combine.
Add the ice cubes and the two juniper berries to the glass.
Cut a piece of lemon peel and place it in the glass to add aroma.
Pour in the tonic water carefully to retain its fizz.
Stir lightly and serve the tonic in a suitable glass. Enjoy this refreshing combination!

Did you like this recipe? Continue to discover how to use our vinegars and bittersweets

Broccoli dumplings with sweet and sour sauce

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Coconutbowl with Tempranillo wine vinegar

7 January, 2019

Scalivada cream toast

:: Ingredients ::

100 g of roasted red pepper
100 g of roasted aubergine
1 clove of garlic
10 ml of BADIA organic red wine vinegar
20 ml of extra virgin olive oil
60 g of toasted and peeled hazelnuts
2 slices of toasted bread
Lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon of paprika
Salt

Garnish options:

Toasted hazelnuts
Assorted olives
Sesame seeds
Aromatic herbs

:: Preparation ::

1. Grind the red pepper with the aubergine, clove of garlic and the hazelnuts.
Add the EVOO and Badia organic red wine vinegar, along with the lemon juice, salt and paprika.

2. Grind everything until you get a homogeneous texture. Keep it in the refrigerator until serving time.

Presentation of the dish

3. Spread the cream over the toast.

4. Before serving, you can add hazelnuts, olives, sesame seeds, aromatic herbs, a splash of Badia organic red wine vinegar or EVOO to accompany it.

Did you like this recipe? Continue to discover how to use our vinegars and bittersweets

Broccoli dumplings with sweet and sour sauce

7 January, 2019

Coconutbowl with Tempranillo wine vinegar

7 January, 2019

Reinventing the classics with a contemporary twist: the new generation of Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon vinegars

We dedicate this new blog entry to tell you about one of the great new stars of 2024. Today we present the new generation of vinegars made with Chardonnay white wine and Cabernet Sauvignon red wine. This reinvention of the most classic vinegars of the Gardeny range means offering flavours with a more modern touch and in tune with contemporary gastronomic trends.

Badia Vinagres broke new ground by introducing a range of gastronomic vinegars to the market with the aim of valuing vinegar as an essential element in the kitchen. Now, thirty years later, the two most iconic vinegars of the Gardeny range have been reinvented to adapt to current trends, but without losing the essence that made them so special. This new generation is the culmination of years of experience and know-how, offering food lovers artisanal vinegars of unrivalled quality.

Grab your kitchen notebooks because below we will talk about each vinegar and give you some recommendations that can help you take your gastronomic preparations to another level.

Cabernet Sauvignon Balsamic Vinegar

Vinegar made with Cabernet Sauvignon red wine connects us directly with the most authentic and traditional flavours. With an intense aroma and deep flavour, it is ideal for enhancing meat dishes, marinades and canned food. Its versatility makes it a must in any kitchen. From creating vinaigrettes for salads to using it in red meat dishes, this vinegar adds a sophisticated and richly nuanced touch that will transform any recipe.

Recommended applications:

Salad vinaigrettes
Meat and vegetable marinades
Sauces and reductions

Chardonnay balsamic vinegar

On the other hand, Chardonnay vinegar, made with white wine of the Chardonnay variety, stands out for its fruity and subtle aroma, perfect for seafood dishes, fish and salads. With a smooth texture and a sweet touch, it offers a perfect balance of acidity, making it a very versatile vinegar for white vinegar lovers.

Recommended uses:

Marinated anchovies
Vinaigrettes for salads
Thin sauces for fish and seafood

Badia Vinagres remains faithful to its values of craftsmanship and local production. Each vinegar is made with the best raw materials, following processes that combine tradition with the most advanced technology. The care and dedication we put into each stage of the process ensures that each bottle is a unique experience, keeping alive a centuries-old heritage while constantly innovating.

Find out about our new products and let yourself be surprised by the sophistication and versatility of these vinegars that will make any dish shine.

Small sizes, big flavours: This summer, take our vinegars with you wherever you go with our travel sizes

Summer is synonymous with travel, beach getaways, camping holidays and visits to family and friends. And what better way to enrich your summer dining experiences than with our vinegars and bittersweets from the Gardeny range in 40 ml and 100 ml travel sizes?

Quality vinegars in pocket size

The Gardeny range stands apart for being an innovative selection with the ability to surprise the most demanding palates with unique and exciting flavours that take us to a wide world of culinary possibilities. With our travel sizes, you can take this culinary gem with you anywhere, and our miniature vinegars and bittersweets are ideal for adding a special touch to your summer meals, whether you’re enjoying a picnic on the beach, preparing dinner at a campsite or having a barbecue with friends.

These glass bottles are easy to carry in your handbag or backpack, and their compact size makes them ideal for hassle-free air travel. So, it doesn’t matter if you travel to a distant place to visit family or friends, you will always have the exceptional taste of Gardeny vinegars at hand to provide a touch of sophistication to your dishes, or to give as a gift with the Lleida stamp.

The vinegars in the Gardeny range are available in 40 ml tasting size, and you can choose the ones you like best. We also offer a case with a varied selection of five mini vinegars, a novelty that we are introducing this summer. On the other hand, you can find the bittersweets in 100 ml size that you can purchase separately or in a case that includes the four varieties: Port, Merlot, Riesling and with honey.

If you want to give someone a special gift, you can find batches like Bellpuig, Vila-sana, Ivars d’Urgell or Palau d’Anglesola. These are presented in a hand-stamped wooden or cardboard box with an original and delicate design.

Our miniatures are perfect for adapting to summer activities, as well as for providing a nice touch or making a good gift. This summer, don’t give up on the quality and innovation of Gardeny vinegars, even when you travel! Enjoy the summer with Badia Vinagres and let yourself be seduced by the sophistication in every drop.

Apple vinegar and cider vinegar: Are they the same product?

Recently, a customer asked us an interesting question: “Are apple vinegar and cider vinegar the same?” and we thought it would be helpful to clarify this concept for all of our followers. So, we explain it to you in this blog.

To begin with, it has to be said; yes, apple vinegar and cider vinegar are the same thing. The confusion often comes from the production process. To make apple cider vinegar, firstly, the apple juice must go through an alcoholic fermentation process to become cider. Afterwards, this cider must go through a second fermentation process, this time acetic, to become apple cider vinegar. In short, vinegar cannot be made directly from apple juice, it must first become cider.

At Badia Vinegars, we offer two types of apple cider vinegar: apple cider balsamic vinegar and unfiltered organic apple cider vinegar with the mother. Both have 5 degrees of acidity and are made with apples from Lleida, but each has particular characteristics and uses.

Apple Cider Balsamic Vinegar

Apple cider balsamic vinegar is made with the juice of apples picked at just the right point of ripeness.

This vinegar has a milder acidity than wine, with very balanced sweet notes. In addition, it contains concentrated apple juice, which gives it a sweeter, milder and more culinary flavour.

This vinegar, which is part of our Gardeny range, is perfect for cooking and providing a differentiating touch to our salads and dishes.

Organic apple cider vinegar with mothers

On the other hand, organic apple cider vinegar with mothers is unfiltered and unpasteurised vinegar, so it contains the mother of vinegar and does not contain gluten or sulphites. This vinegar has a dry, fresh and traditional flavour, a clear reflection of what our Badia product range is all about.

It retains all of the beneficial properties of apple cider vinegar, such as promoting good digestion, its antimicrobial and antioxidant effects, helps us regulate blood sugar levels and improves our cardiovascular health, among other things. This vinegar is ideal for those looking for a natural and 100% organic option.

In summary, although apple cider vinegar and cider vinegar are the same, at Badia Vinegars we offer varieties that suit different culinary needs and tastes.

Whether you’re looking for a sweet, smooth twist to your recipes with our apple cider balsamic vinegar, or prefer a healthier, more traditional option with our organic apple cider vinegar with mothers, we’ve got the perfect solution!