How to make sherry vinegar at home? How long does it take?
Bianca G., Rochester, NY
Sherry vinegar is a great addition to any cook’s pantry because it enhances the flavor of many foods. You can make tasty vinaigrette dressing, marinades for meat, and glazes, too. And it is straightforward to brew at home. That’s how to make sherry vinegar.
It’s possible to make sherry vinegar if you have three essential ingredients: sherry, spring water, and vinegar starter. The starter can be either the mother, the unpasteurized vinegar from an earlier batch, or a commercial liquid called “mycoderma aceti.”
To begin, swish the vinegar starter around the inside of the crock or container you’ll be using. Be sure to cover all over the inside surface.
Then you’ll need the spring water to dilute the strong sherry wine for best results. Combine two cups of sherry with four cups of water and pour that into the crock.
Now cover the container with cheesecloth or at least a paper towel held in place with a rubber band. Place it in a dark, warm place and let it stand until it’s ready.
The minimum amount of time it will take to brew sherry vinegar is three weeks. It could also take as long as six months. Just use your nose as a guide to check on its progress.
Once the fermentation is satisfactory, strain the vinegar through cheesecloth or coffee filters before you bottle it. Then you can re-use the mother to begin a new batch.
For more details on making sherry vinegar, see this post: https://www.tipsbulletin.com/sherry-vinegar/