Vinegar is a pantry staple in every kitchen. It’s right up there as one of the big four pantry staples, including oil, salt, and pepper. It’s an extremely versatile necessity in home kitchens everywhere. Whether it’s whisked into a salad dressing, drizzled on a dish as a finisher, or used to marinate meats, vinegar brightens and lifts every dish. Vinegar is an acidic liquid that is produced through the fermentation process. There are so many kinds on the market that it can be confusing to know which works best for various dishes. No two are more confusing than wine vinegar and balsamic vinegar. Here are some of the main differences, similarities, and some common substitutes.
What is the Difference Between Wine and Balsamic Vinegars?
Even though both wine and balsamic vinegar are flavorful and delicious, they are made differently and provide different flavor results for your culinary adventures. Balsamic vinegar is made from grape must, which is a juice made from pressing the grapes, seeds, and stems. The pressed juice is boiled, fermented, and acidified in barrels for years. Even though both types of vinegar are made from grapes, one of the biggest differences between wine vinegar and balsamic vinegar is that wine vinegar stops at the wine stage, and balsamic vinegar does not.
Wine Vinegars
Wine vinegar is made from wine. The wine is fermented and oxidized into acid, and it has a light, fruity flavor. Stainless steel vats are used for the distilling process. The vats, or acetates, expose the ethanol that is found in wine to oxygen. The result is acetic acid which is then diluted with water to between 5 and 7% acidity. Oftentimes, wine vinegars are crafted from a blend of wines.
White wine vinegar consists of oxidized white wine, and red wine vinegar consists of oxidized red wine. The distinct taste is one of the most noticeable differences between wine vinegar and balsamic vinegar. And secondly, they differ in color. Red wine vinegar will add subtle shades of pink to dishes it is added to. White wine vinegar will not. When it comes to flavor, white wine vinegar is a bit more delicate and lighter. The flavor of red wine vinegar tends to be stronger and savory.
Uses for Red and White Wine Vinegar
Red and white wine vinegars are often used to enhance and improve the flavors of different types of dishes from a variety of cuisines. Here are a few of the most common uses for wine vinegar.
- They are used in a variety of dressings
- Drizzle them over salads
- White and red wine vinegars are used for marinades
- Add them to smoothies
- They make a wonderful addition to Italian dishes such as lasagna
Balsamic Vinegars
Balsamic vinegar presents a complex and full-flavor experience. They are extremely versatile and can be used in a wide variety of recipes. Since balsamic vinegar is made from fermented grapes, it develops a dark, reddish hue. This is also the source of its complex, sweet flavor. They are barrel-aged for at least 12 years and can be allowed to ferment for up to 25 years. The longer balsamic vinegars age, the thicker and more flavorful they become.
White balsamic vinegar is milder than its red counterpart, and it is created by pressure-cooking wine musts instead of simmering them. This keeps them from caramelizing or gaining any extra color. White balsamic is a great choice if you don’t want to add color to a recipe. It will also provide a slightly less sweet, cleaner flavor. Over time, white balsamic vinegar will succumb to oxidation. This natural process will darken the vinegar, and it will transition from gold to amber in color. This doesn’t affect its flavor. For those who would like to ensure a clear appearance, it needs to be consumed within a few months of purchase.
Uses for Red and White Balsamic Vinegars
You can incorporate red and white balsamic vinegars into your favorite recipes. Here are some of the main ways to use these two types of vinegar.
- Use them to create tasty salad dressings
- Add a finishing flavor to roasted vegetables
- Top off a basil tomato salad with balsamic vinegar
- Create marinades for meat by pairing them with olive oil and garlic
Newsletter
Join to get special offers, free giveaways, and once-in-a-lifetime deals.
Can You Substitute Balsamic Vinegar for Wine Vinegar?
Even though balsamic and wine vinegar are not the same, if you find yourself in a pinch, it’s reasonable to substitute one for the other. But you’ll need to make some slight modifications to your recipe. If your recipe calls for wine vinegar and you’ve only got balsamic vinegar on hand, you’ll need to make the recipe a little less sweet. You might try to remove sugar from the recipe to help even out the sweetness provided by the balsamic vinegar. You may also be able to use a little less vinegar than what the recipe calls for.
If your recipe calls for balsamic vinegar and you only have red or white wine vinegar on hand, add a little sweetener like honey or sugar to even out the taste. You can also mix one tablespoon of wine vinegar with two teaspoons of maple syrup to sweeten it naturally. Adding a touch of sweetness to wine vinegar can get it pretty close to the round and complex flavor of balsamic.
There are a few suitable substitutions for wine vinegar, such as apple cider vinegar, rice vinegar, or sherry vinegar. However, balsamic vinegar doesn’t have as many close substitutes. You can use a balsamic vinaigrette if you are in a pinch. While it’s not ideal, you can use soy sauce if you don’t have any balsamic vinegar in your pantry.
Now that you know the difference between balsamic, white, and red wine vinegar choices, it’s time to stock your pantry. When you need wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar, you want to know you are using the best. Arlotta Food Studio is your source for high-quality vinegars including wine vinegar and balsamic varieties.
FAQs
Balsamic vinegar is made from unfermented grape juice, while red wine vinegar is made from fermented red wine. This difference in production process results in two very different flavors. Balsamic vinegar has a sweet, fruity flavor, while red wine vinegar has a sour, acidic taste.
What's the difference between balsamic vinegar and wine vinegar? ›
Red wine vinegar has a thin, liquidy texture, whereas balsamic tends to be thick and syrupy. Unlike red wine vinegar, balsamic makes its way straight to the vinegar stage, never becoming a wine. As a result, balsamic is the milder and sweeter vinegar. Here's a short guide to help you quickly discern between the two.
Can I replace red wine vinegar with balsamic vinegar? ›
Use balsamic vinegar as a 1:1 substitute for red wine vinegar in most recipes. You can also dilute it with white vinegar or red wine. Because of its thicker, sweeter properties, you may need to reduce the sweetness in the recipe you're following.
Can I substitute balsamic vinegar for white wine vinegar? ›
But you'll need to make some slight modifications to your recipe. If your recipe calls for wine vinegar and you've only got balsamic vinegar on hand, you'll need to make the recipe a little less sweet. You might try to remove sugar from the recipe to help even out the sweetness provided by the balsamic vinegar.
What does red wine vinegar do to your body? ›
Summary The acetic acid and polyphenols in red wine vinegar may help lower total cholesterol, blood pressure, and triglycerides, high levels of which may be risk factors for heart disease.
What is balsamic vinegar best for? ›
Balsamic vinegar is unlike other vinegar, its dark syrupy consistency with a rich complexity is the perfect balance of sweet and tart. A good balsamic vinegar can lift salads, cheese, desserts and meat. There are many varieties of this type of vinegar, costing from a few pounds to a few thousand pounds a bottle.
Does balsamic vinegar go bad? ›
When properly stored (emphasis on the “properly”), balsamic vinegar can last anywhere between three to five years. However, improper storage will shorten the shelf life considerably and potentially lead to contamination. If you do not store your balsamic vinegar properly, it will not last nearly this long.
What's healthier, red wine vinegar or balsamic? ›
Do red wine vinegar and balsamic vinegar have different health benefits? Both red wine vinegar and balsamic vinegar contain antioxidants and have potential health benefits, but balsamic vinegar, due to its grape must content, may have a slightly higher antioxidant content.
Does white wine vinegar go bad? ›
Does Wine Vinegar Go Bad? Due to the natural acidity created during wine vinegar's transformation from wine to vinegar, it will never go bad. However, its acidity will change over time causing its flavor to change and weaken. Unlike store-brands, high quality wine vinegar will keep its vibrant flavor longer.
Why do chefs use balsamic vinegar? ›
Restaurant chefs use white balsamic vinegar not only for its milder flavor, but also because it won't turn a salad dressing or sauce brown the way the regular stuff will. Use it in any vinaigrette recipe, for dressing roasted vegetables, or for deglazing a pan of crispy chicken thigh bits.
Hard to spell, easy to use, Worcestershire sauce is another common ingredient you can use as a one-to-one replacement for balsamic vinegar in small amounts.
Does red wine vinegar go bad? ›
Acetic acid kills bacteria and fungi, so red wine vinegar doesn't go bad in the sense of being dangerous to drink. Red wine vinegar will look and taste its best if you use it within 2 to 3 years from the time you buy it.
Which is healthier, apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar? ›
The question of which vinegar is better for you is difficult to answer because both red wine vinegar and apple cider vinegar have different health advantages. Apple cider vinegar may help with blood sugar regulation and digestion, while red wine vinegar may contain antioxidants from grapes.
What vinegar does Subway use? ›
Mix red wine vinegar and a blend of olive and other oils and you can recreate the sandwich dressing offered at Subway. This is a guide about Subways oil and vinegar recipe.
Is red wine vinegar bad for high blood pressure? ›
Improves heart health: Studies suggest that red wine vinegar may help lower blood pressure and reduce cholesterol levels. Regulates blood sugar: Red wine vinegar has been shown to slow the absorption of sugar in the bloodstream, helping manage diabetes.
Does balsamic vinegar have alcohol? ›
Balsamic Vinegar is Non-Alcoholic
Even though Balsamic Vinegar derives from the alcoholic fermentation of the grapes, it does not contain alcohol. In fact, the fermentation process that transforms sugars into vinegar occurs thanks to specific bacteria that convert the sugars into acetic acid.
Can I substitute balsamic vinegar for rice wine vinegar? ›
The cleaner taste of white balsamic vinegar may make it a suitable substitution for rice vinegar in some recipes, such as salad dressings. A 2019 review indicated that fruit vinegar, such as balsamic, is a rich source of polyphenols and organic acids and can be a good dietary source of antioxidants.
Why is balsamic vinegar special? ›
Here's why: vinegar is made by fermenting a liquid like wine or apple cider. But to make traditional Italian balsamic vinegar the way they do it in Modena — where they've been making balsamic vinegar for some 900 years — the grapes aren't allowed to fully ferment into wine.
Does wine vinegar have alcohol? ›
As for the alcohol content, the residual alcohol content in the wine vinegar must never exceed 1.5% by volume. Wine vinegar can develop from many types of grapes and therefore wines, both white and red of course, such as Lambrusco, Chianti, Marzemino, and among the whites Chardonnay and Trebbiano.
