For those of you who didn't read her post in the fall, Erin is one of my oldest and dearest friends. For over 20 years now, we've been sharing laughs, tears, good times, bad times, and through it all our friendship has remained solid and steady She too is a stay at home Mommy, w/ a loving husband and 2 adorable kids. I'm so glad she returned today to share yet again, something from her kitchen. So please welcome back Erin....
Homemade Red Wine Vinegar
Buying good vinegars at the store can be quite pricey, so why not make your own?
There are different paths you can take to your own homemade vinegar, but this one is about the easiest way to go about things (it’s pretty much foolproof). The two things you need to start with are:
About 2 cups of red wine
(Do not use Port, not enough sugar. I used Cabernet, the better tasting the wine, the better tasting the vinegar!)
About 1/2 to 1 cup of live cider vinegar
(A live vinegar contains a living bacterial "mother" starter.
Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar is pretty commonly found and will work great for this!)
There are different paths you can take to your own homemade vinegar, but this one is about the easiest way to go about things (it’s pretty much foolproof). The two things you need to start with are:
About 2 cups of red wine
(Do not use Port, not enough sugar. I used Cabernet, the better tasting the wine, the better tasting the vinegar!)
About 1/2 to 1 cup of live cider vinegar
(A live vinegar contains a living bacterial "mother" starter.
Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar is pretty commonly found and will work great for this!)
Mix the vinegar and wine together into a clean glass container. Cover with cheesecloth, paper toweling, or something else that will keep the flies and what not out, but let air flow in and out.
Store the bottle in a dark place for 2 weeks.
Do not move it around.
After 2 weeks, taste. It should taste good and be ready for use. Pour off as much as you’ll need to use for a few weeks into a new clean bottle, being careful to keep all sediment in the original bottle. You now have a red wine vinegar ‘system’ that will keep you in homemade vinegar forever, and that will keep producing vinegars that taste better and better over time.
Whenever you have any leftover wine, add it to the original bottle – making sure you wait at least 2 weeks after any addition before use. This original bottle will just keep getting better and more complex tasting as it ages and as you add wine over time.
You can experiment with your homemade vinegars by adding herbs or different types of wines, you can even make vinegar like this using beer! What you don't use you can pour into decorative bottles and give as gifts!
Do not move it around.
After 2 weeks, taste. It should taste good and be ready for use. Pour off as much as you’ll need to use for a few weeks into a new clean bottle, being careful to keep all sediment in the original bottle. You now have a red wine vinegar ‘system’ that will keep you in homemade vinegar forever, and that will keep producing vinegars that taste better and better over time.
Whenever you have any leftover wine, add it to the original bottle – making sure you wait at least 2 weeks after any addition before use. This original bottle will just keep getting better and more complex tasting as it ages and as you add wine over time.
You can experiment with your homemade vinegars by adding herbs or different types of wines, you can even make vinegar like this using beer! What you don't use you can pour into decorative bottles and give as gifts!
Have always wondered how to make my own vinegar from wine. Thanks for sharing this!
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