Red & White Wine Vinegar

White wine vinegar and red wine vinegar should be essentials in any self-respecting kitchen. Even if you’re not the most advanced of home cooks, these ingredients are an easy and low-cost way to bring some tangy, fruity flavor to all kinds of meals.

Vinegar is a sour liquid that is produced by fermenting diluted alcohol products. Throughout history, a huge variety of vinegar has been created, with different flavors and colors. Vinegar is perhaps best known for its culinary uses, but can also be used for agricultural, cleaning, and horticultural purposes.

Whether you buy red wine vinegar or buy white wine vinegar, you’re in for a zingy treat. Read on to find out more, and check out our amazing white and red wine vinegar prices!

What Is The Difference Between Red Wine Vinegar And White Wine Vinegar?

Wine vinegar is created through the acetic fermentation of wine. White wine vinegar is made using white wine and red wine vinegar is made using red wine. Simple! Well, the process isn’t that simple…

Wine vinegar can be made through two different acetification processes: a surface or a submerged culture system. With the surface culture method, traditional wood casks are used and the process is slow. This wine vinegar tends to be flavorful and expensive. With the submerged culture method, the process of fermentation is forced, mechanically generated, and rapid.

In creating vinegar, acetic acid is produced through the fermentation of the ethanol that is produced by bacteria coming into contact with the wine. The bacteria is known as the ‘mother of vinegar’. This process gives the wine its sour taste and pungent aroma.

You might be wondering whether red wine vinegar and white wine vinegar taste different. Much like red and white wine, their flavors do vary. White wine vinegar ranges from clear to gold in color, and has a light, delicate, and fruity flavor. Red wine vinegar varies in intensity of color, and has a bolder and more intense depth of flavor than white wine vinegar.

What Is Red And White Wine Vinegar Used For?

As you now know, red wine vinegar and white vinegar have different flavor profiles. This means that you can use them in different ways, and in different types of cooking. Not sure where to start? Here are a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing:

• White wine vinegar makes an excellent addition to salad dressings. Our delicious Couscous Salad with Avocado Almond Crust recipe calls for a dash of white wine vinegar.
• White wine vinegar is a great choice for pickling, due to its clear color and light taste. We love pickling red onion, cucumber, cauliflower, and beetroot. And if you don’t have time or space to do it yourself, buy some readymade pickles!
• You can even use white wine vinegar for baking! It’s called for in some cake recipes and can help towards the cakes rising when combined with bicarbonate of soda.
• Red wine vinegar is perfect in savory sauces and paired with beans and lentils. Add a dash to our Tomato Basil Soup, or splash some over our Roasted Kabocha Squash.
• Red wine vinegar can also be used for salad dressings and will lend a pinkish hue. We like it with a heartier salad such as our nourishing Lentil Salad.

What Are The Benefits Of Red And White Wine Vinegar?

Red wine vinegar and white wine vinegar are fat-free and low-calorie. They will add loads of flavor without contributing to weight gain. Some studies have found that the acetic acid in red and white wine vinegar may potentially help lower blood sugar levels by slowing the digestion of carbohydrates. Acetic acid has also been shown to increase fat burning and reduce appetite.

Red wine contains antioxidants known as anthocyanins. These are also present in red wine vinegar, but in smaller quantities. As research has found, antioxidants such as anthocyanins have the potential to support the immune system and help fight bacterial infections and skin damage. White wine vinegar may have similar potential health benefits though more research is needed before any conclusive evidence of specific health benefits is reached.

As well as these potential health benefits, red wine vinegar and white wine vinegar boast an array of other benefits. They are an affordable and easy way to inject flavor to all kinds of cooking. White wine vinegar can act as a natural herbicide for killing weeds, and won’t contribute to pollution when used as such. Vinegar also functions as a natural disinfectant that can be used to clean the home. It is an affordable and eco-friendly alternative to many chemical-laden cleaners.

Top Red And White Winne Vinegar Brands To Buy

• Kimberley Wine Vinegars - Organic Red Wine Vinegar
  Kimberley’s sophisticated red wine vinegar comes in two varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon and Sherry. They are barrel-aged and made with organic California wine. Choose Sherry for something sweet and tangy that works perfectly with nut oils for salad dressings. Choose Cabernet Sauvignon for a full-bodied option that’s great in pasta sauces and stews.
  
  
• Kimberley Wine Vinegars - Organic White Wine Vinegar
  Kimberley’s white wine vinegar should not be missed either. There are two varieties: Chardonnay and Champagne. Chardonnay is fruity, with a hint of oak, and can be used to make a classic French vinaigrette. Champagne is more delicate and works well as a light salad dressing, or to deglaze a pan after sauteing vegetables.
  
  
• Napa Valley Naturals - Red Wine Vinegar
  Napa Valley Naturals make their red wine vinegar from Italian wine that is aged in oak barrels. It’s unpasteurized to maximize the flavour, and it comes in an attractive wine bottle. It brings a tart and tangy bite to dressings and sauces.
  
  
• Ramp Up - Vinegars
  Ramp Up’s innovative range of vinegar has taken white wine vinegar and injected extra bold flavors into the mix. It comes in 3 flavors: Ramp, Black Garlic, and Red Miso. Ramps are plants similar to scallions, and that is what flavors the original ‘Ramp’ variety. Black Garlic brings a sweet earthiness, and Red Miso radiates with umami goodness. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Red Wine Vinegar Need To Be Refrigerated After Opening?

Red wine vinegar will survive out of the fridge when unopened, though refrigerating it will not do any damage. Red wine vinegar has an almost indefinite shelf life due to its acidic nature. Keep your opened or unopened red wine vinegar in a cool, dark place such as a cupboard or pantry. All vinegar is stable at room temperature.
Some believe that keeping opened red wine vinegar in the fridge will help it retain its color and flavor. However, there is no evidence to suggest that storing vinegar in the fridge will extend its life. We prefer to save space in the fridge and store red wine vinegar in a cupboard.

Can Red Wine Vinegar Expire?

Red wine vinegar does not technically have an expiration date. Its natural acidity will prevent it from going bad. However, when opened, its flavor and color may slowly deteriorate over time. This is because every time you open it, oxygen gets in and can affect the quality. When oxygen encounters vinegar, oxidation takes place. This does not raise any safety concerns but it can affect the taste of your vinegar.

If your red wine vinegar is not stored in a cool enough environment, it may also turn a brownish color. To be safe, before using, give your vinegar a taste and smell and discard it if it seems off.

Does Wine Vinegar Have Alcohol In It?

Red and white wine vinegar does contain a trace of alcohol in it but it is an incredibly small trace. It’s almost impossible for it to lead to intoxication as it’s incredibly unlikely you would be able to consume enough vinegar for that to happen!

Alcohol boils off at very low temperatures, so adding wine vinegar to cooked sauces and stews will mean that the alcohol boils off very quickly. As with most things, wine vinegar should be consumed in moderation. If you do not want to use wine vinegar, you can replace the acid with lemon juice or lime juice.

Can I Drink White Wine Vinegar?

It is generally safe to consume white wine vinegar, but too much of it could cause harm. Some people like to drink a small amount mixed with water. 1-2 tablespoons of white wine vinegar can be added to a small glass of water. The potential health benefits of consuming vinegar in this way have not been confirmed, but it is generally considered safe to do so.
Consuming undiluted white wine vinegar can lead to stomach upset and the erosion of tooth enamel over time. If you are in any doubt about how much white wine vinegar you should consume, please consult a medical professional.