Wine Vinegar Glossary | Recipes with Wine Vinegar

Description

Wine Vinegar is made from the oxidation by acetic acid bacteria of ethanol in wine. vinegar is made from red or white wine and is the most commonly used vinegar in Mediterranean countries and Central Europe. As with wine, there is a considerable range in quality. Better quality wine vinegars are matured in wood for up to two years and exhibit a complex, mellow flavor. Wine vinegar tends to have a lower acidity than that of white or cider vinegars. There are more expensive wine vinegars that are made from individual varieties of wine, such as Champagne, Sherry, etc.

Red wine vinegar

Made from red wine. It is kept to ferment till it gets a sour flavour. Once fermentation is complete the vinegar is strained and kept aside in barrels to age for days or even upto 2 years before it is put into bottles. As it is well known the longer it is kept to age the stronger the flavour it gets. After straining slight particles will still be visible at the bottom. This red wine vinegar is used to make salad dressings, sauces and slow cooking dishes.

White wine vinegar

It’s made from white wine and is most commonly used in Mediterranean countries and European countries. The wine vinegars are matured in wood barrels for 1 to 2 years to get the perfect flavour. It is milder in taste and only slightly tangy and also is less acidic. This vinegar is used for variety of dishes like pickled recipes, deglazing, vinaigrettes, soups, salads, marinating, etc.

How to select

Preparing wine vinegar requires a good quality wine that's not too strong -- 10-11% alcohol -- because too much alcohol inhibits the activity of the bacteria that transform the wine. If the wine is too weak, on the other hand, the vinegar won't keep well. AWine vinegar are available in the European markets. However, a homemade wine vinegar will be more delicate and have greater depth than commercially prepared vinegar. There are several basic types of wine vinegar in the market, along with sweetened varieties that have everything from sugar to ginger, orange peel and/or cloves added for extra flavour. Select as per individual preference and recipe requirement.

Culinary Uses

" Wine Vinegar is commonly used in food preparation, particularly in pickling processes, vinaigrettes, and other salad dressings.
" It is an ingredient in sauces such as mustard, ketchup, and mayonnaise. Vinegar is sometimes used while making chutneys.
" It is often used as a condiment.
" Wine vinegar works well in braised dishes and as a dipping sauce. It can also serve as a substitute for balsamic vinegar
" This Vinegar is the best choice for sweet and sour dishes, and for pickling vegetables. It generally works well in stir-fries.

How to store

The shelf life of vinegar is almost indefinite. Because of its acid nature, vinegar is self-preserving and does not need refrigeration. White rice vinegar will remain virtually unchanged over an extended period of time. And, while some changes can be observed in other types of vinegars, such as color changes or the development of a haze or sediment, this is only an aesthetic change. The product can still be used with confidence. Wine Vinegar is best stored airtight in a cool, dark place.

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