Wine vinegar: robust acidity from white and red wine

Wine vinegar is produced when acetic acid bacteria ferment the alcohol in wine into acetic acid. Under EU law, it must be produced exclusively from wine and contain at least 6% acidity, which is why it tastes cleaner and more robust than most fruit vinegars. Here you will find organic white wine vinegar and organic red wine vinegar from Franconia, as well as vinaigrettes from the Southern Palatinate that are based on wine vinegar.

White wine vinegar or red wine vinegar?

White wine vinegar is light, fresh, and clear. It maintains the color of dishes and provides acidity where a fruity flavor would be intrusive: potato salad, cucumber salad, fish, asparagus, and marinades for poultry. Red wine vinegar adds color, berry-like fruitiness, and a touch of tannin from the red wine. It holds its own alongside robust ingredients like lentils, red cabbage, tomatoes, or braised meat and adds the perfect finishing touch to a dark gravy.

How to recognize a good wine vinegar

The taste of a wine vinegar depends first and foremost on the wine. ezzich uses Bacchus and Dornfelder from the organic winery Hofmann and allows the vinegar to ferment naturally; no sugar is added. Lang Weinessig lets its white and red wine vinegars mature in oak barrels before turning them into vinaigrettes. On the label, look for the grape variety or at least the wine color, the acidity level, and a short ingredient list: for pure wine vinegar, it should only say wine vinegar.

Vinaigrette: wine vinegar, already seasoned

A vinaigrette is the classic salad dressing made from vinegar, oil, and spices. The vinaigrettes from Lang represent the vinegar side of this: wine vinegar, wine or grape must, sea salt, and sugar are already balanced; you simply add the oil yourself or use them as a splash. Liese and Jens have 4.4% acidity and are therefore milder than pure wine vinegar. For a salad dressing for four people, stir two to three tablespoons of vinaigrette with double the amount of oil, a pinch of pepper, and a teaspoon of mustard to taste – the salt and sweetness are already included. This way, the dressing tastes the same every time, even when you're in a hurry in the evening.

Our wine vinegar producers

ezzich is located in Großhaslach in Middle Franconia. Our bestseller is the organic white wine vinegar made from Bacchus white wine, fresh and mild in acidity, followed closely by the organic red wine vinegar made from Dornfelder, dark and fruity with tannins. Both are available as a 250 ml bottle for sampling and as a 500 ml kitchen bottle, such as the organic white wine vinegar 500 ml. In the "Fruit & Basic" tasting set, both are included in small bottles alongside four organic fruit vinegars.

Lang Weinessig from Gommersheim in the Southern Palatinate makes four vinaigrettes, each with its own name. The organic Liese vinaigrette with Riesling is mild and balanced. The Doro vinaigrette gets its flavor from dried tomatoes that have been steeped in the vinegar for over twelve months. Albert relies on red wine vinegar and Dornfelder wine, while Jens focuses on thyme, rosemary, and garlic. All four are also included in the vinaigrette gift set.

Wine vinegar in everyday cooking

For a Swabian or Franconian potato salad, mix warm broth with white wine vinegar, mustard, onions, and oil, and pour it over the still-warm potatoes. Marinate red onions in red wine vinegar with a little sugar and salt; after an hour, they are mild and bright pink, perfect for burgers, bowls, or fried potatoes. A splash of red wine vinegar at the end rounds out lentil soup and red cabbage, while white wine vinegar belongs in marinades for grilled chicken and fish. The vinaigrettes from Lang are the shortcut: Liese over leafy greens, cucumber, or potatoes, Doro over Caprese, pasta, or in goulash, Jens in gravy and marinade, and Albert over robust salads and dark vegetables.

Buying advice and storage

• White or red: If you only want one bottle, choose white wine vinegar; it goes with almost everything. Red wine vinegar complements it for braised dishes and dark sauces.
• Bottle size: 250 ml for sampling or gifting, 500 ml for kitchens where salad is served every day.
• Vinegar or vinaigrette: Pure wine vinegar is more versatile and robust, while a vinaigrette saves you from having to season it yourself.
• Tasting: The tasting set from ezzich and the vinaigrette gift set from Lang show you several directions at once.
• Organic: All wine vinegars from ezzich and the Liese and Albert vinaigrettes are organically grown.
• Storage: Keep wine vinegar tightly sealed in a dark place at room temperature; with 6% acidity, it will last a very long time. For opened vinaigrettes, follow the instructions on the label.

Other vinegars for your kitchen

Wine vinegar is part of our Vinegar category. For milder, fruity dressings, you can find apple, raspberry, and cherry vinegar under fruit vinegar. ezzich has also prepared wine vinegars with wild garlic, tomatoes, or porcini mushrooms; these vinegars can be found under other vinegar specialties.

Order wine vinegar online

Whether it's a kitchen bottle of white wine vinegar for potato salad or a vinaigrette for a quick dinner salad: order your wine vinegar online at Leni & Hans, and your package will arrive in 1–3 days.