A Fine Vinegar

There's a saying about catching more flies with honey than with vinegar. Well, that was true back then but now this condiment?) has gone more upscale. There are several artisanal ones out there that can be added to main dishes. There's more to it than just fermented wine.

What is vinegar exactly? It's simply oxidized wine , beer, cider or even fruit juice with a high ethanol content. Its' name comes from the Old French vin aigre or sour wine. Vinegar has been mentioned in both the e Old Testament and the new.Ruth dipped her bread into it while Jesus was offered vinegar soaked bread when he was on the Cross. it was one of the four favored condiments of the prophet Muhammad. It was until 1864 that Louis Pasteur showed how vinegar came about by natural fermentation.

Surprisingly enough there are twelve (yes, twelve) different kinds of vinegar out there. There is the traditional ones made with red wine and apple cider but there are many others as well. There is malt vinegar popular in England and on chips. there is also rice vinegar , used frequently in Japan. Fruits play an important part in European vinegars with raspberry and quince being the most bought flavors. Germans prefer a vinegar fermented from (what else?) beer. In the Philippines cane sugar is used ot make a very sweet vinegar.Middle Easterners create a vinegar from dates while there is also a raisin flavored one.

Of curse vinegar gained gourmet status when balsamic vinegar made its' way onto table in the late Nineties. This is a fermented concentration of white grape juice or must from Modena, Italy (where Luciano Pavarotti was from). it is then aged in tuns or cask made from various woods, such as oak, cherry, juniper, ash, mulberry and acacia. it is then aged from three to twelve years. It is a heady brew to be used lightly in salads and over cold vegetable antipasto.


You can create your own artisanal vinegar. A good friend of mine has turned this into her favorite hobby. She infuses every day red wine vinegar with salvia , oregano and rosemary to create the most amazing tastes. These are perfect on all sorts of salads. It's easy , Just a a few sprig s of any herb to your favorite vinegar and let stand a few days.

Vinegar is gaining in popularity and versatility.You can stick with the original , try balsamic or create your own herb infused kind. Any will add a new spin on your old salads and veggie dishes.