Fruit & Wine Vinegars

While good vinegar may be an afterthought, serious home cooks know a great vinegar can add sparkle and depth to a dish like few other ingredients can. There's a huge difference in quality and flavor between vinegars, so how do you pick the best? There are three things I look for:

1. It's made from great wine.
2. It's converted to vinegar naturally, using traditional processes like the Orleans method that slowly, gently convert the wine into vinegar.
3. It's well aged—we prefer vinegars aged for at least a year or two, and frequently even more aging results in even more flavor. 

All the steps add up. You really can taste the difference.