My wife made a Toscano oil and Modena Balsamic Vinegar salad dressing last night. Olives have been grown in Toscano or Tuscany since 700 BC. TOSCANO is an appellation of origin for olive oil. Histories of balsamic vinegar suggest that it is so named because it had the healing qualities of a balm. It was first prepared in Modena in Italy as early as 1046. MODENA is an appellation of origin for balsamic vinegar. Usually, consortiums of local growers control and monitor procedures for producing products which may bear these appellations of origin. The European Union’s register of appellations of origin is here.