The best bottled balsamic vinaigrettes

There are few things more annoying to salad lovers than bad bottled dressing. Whether it's a perfect avocado, a plate of tomatoes or a bowl of greens, herbs and veggies, a sad dressing simply ruins everything.

On the hunt for a versatile — and delicious — salad dressing that's up to the task of ushering in the bounty of summer produce headed our way, we decided to focus on bottled balsamic vinaigrette. A great balsamic dressing can be splashed into spinach salad, drizzled on crostini, dribbled on pizza or used as a marinade.

You'll find two styles of balsamic dressing on store shelves. One is a classic vinaigrette that separates, with oil on top and vinegar and other ingredients on the bottom. The other is a thick emulsion stabilized with gums or mustard. It's worth noting that both styles can be quite good.

The best dressings are delicious blends that highlight the complex, fruity flavor and mellow acidity of good quality balsamic vinegar. They can be peppery or herby, sweet or punchy, but whatever the style, they must taste fresh and add to — rather than mask — the flavors of what they dress.

Unfortunately, bad balsamics abound and dodging them is difficult, as labels reveal very little about the flavor inside the bottle. Even promising bottles may be filled with rancid oil or murky seasonings or mixtures laced with cheaper, more acidic vinegars.

Yes, you can make balsamic vinaigrette in a matter of minutes, but if you're buying bottled dressing, here's the scoop on the brands that will boost your salad game — and the bottles that should be banned from the kitchen. Nutrition info refers to two tablespoons.