Perhaps the most distinctive of Le Tamerici's legendary fruit compotes. Definitely the most seductive.

Ever wonder what it would be like to pursue your passion for cooking to the furthest degree? Such is the story of artisan Paola Calciolari, a pharmacist from the Old Town of Mantova, who gave it all up to start a small cooking school in 1991. In 1996, her devoted students demanded that she avail her homemade preserves, mostarde and antipasti to the public and a small storefront arose at the school. Today, Paola operates a small Laboratorio dedicated to the innovative presentations of antique recipes. All of the fruit and vegetables in her products are harvested and cleaned by hand. All are preservative-and-additive free.

This particular compote is a culinary matrimony between the l'oro nero ("black gold") of Modena, balsamic vinegar and fresh, ripe black cherries. The natural sweetness of the fruit and the pleasing acidity of the vinegar explode fully and fragrantly on the palate. Exceptional with fresh, young cheeses, chocolate pudding, or creme-laden desserts such as pannacotta, cinnamon bavarois or classic vanilla gelato.