Francesco Aggazzotti

Francesco Aggazzotti (January 18, 1811, in Colombaro di Formigine – February 25, 1890, in Modena) was an Italian lawyer, agronomist, oenologist, politician, and notary.

Biography He was born into a family of professionals and landowners, from whom he inherited a passion for the legal profession and agriculture. In 1837, he graduated in law and later earned a degree in both civil and canon law, as well as becoming a licensed lawyer and notary.

He practiced law while simultaneously managing agricultural properties, expanding the family's land holdings. Aggazzotti rationalized crop cultivation and initiated the production of wines, based on the study and classification of grape varieties and the qualities of individual grapes. He also produced balsamic vinegar, establishing its rules in a letter dated March 2, 1862, to the lawyer Pio Fabriani, a letter that he promptly published. This text now serves as the foundation for the production regulations of Protected Designation of Origin for Traditional Balsamic Vinegar.

In 1847, he married Marianna Rovighi, with whom he had eleven children. During the events of 1848, he served as the municipal commissioner of the provisional government. Upon the return of Duke Francesco V, he allowed those who had actively participated in the events some time to leave the duchy to avoid excessive repression. Francesco temporarily stayed in Pistoia, but he was soon allowed to return, thanks to the intercession of his father-in-law, who served as an honor guard to the duke. This experience influenced his political life after the unification of Italy. In Modena, he became a city councilor and provincial councilor, and in Formigine, he served as a city councilor, assessor, and mayor at the time of national unification and for several years.

His production was awarded three medals at the Italian Exhibition in Florence in 1861: one for a bull, one for his wines, including a Lambrusco, and one for balsamic vinegar.

He died in Modena on February 25, 1890, at the age of seventy-eight. He was buried in the family tomb in his native Colombaro. In his will, he established an endowment to provide for the medicine and needs of the poor sick in the village.