Wine Vinegar

Wine vinegar is produced using either matured red or white wine. Although there are many varieties of red and white wine vinegars on the market, the flavour and quality tends to vary widely between brands, depending on the quality of the ingredients and the process used for aging. The best wine vinegar is made by a slow, gentle process called the Orléans method, which allows the vinegar to mature naturally. Although wine vinegars from Orléans are expensive, there are probably the purest and best.

Red wine vinegar has a rich, full flavour that is more robust than vinegar made with white wine. Its rich flavour makes it the best choice for cooking, and it is also ideal for sauces and marinades. However, although red wine vinegar may be used to make mayonnaise and salad dressings, it will make them turn an unusual pink colour.

White wine vinegar tends to have a slightly harsher flavour than red wine, and is used as the main ingredient, along with olive oil, in classic French dressing. It may also be used to flavour a range of sauces and marinades.

As wine vinegar has a very powerful flavour, it may be diluted down for salad dressings with wine of the same colour.