We all need red wine vinegar in our kitchen. It brightens up your dishes, adds acidity and subtle sweetness to almost anything—from meats to salads to soups.
It’s been a while since the last time you used red wine vinegar. The bottle has been sitting for months untouched. When you need to use it, you see a floating object in the container. Does this mean that red wine vinegar has gone bad? How long can you keep red wine vinegar?
No worries! You’re not the only one with the questions. Keep reading, and you will find the essential details about red wine vinegar’s shelf life, storage, and general symptoms of going bad.
How To Store Red Wine Vinegar
Red wine vinegar is definitely a must-have in every kitchen. Red wine is basically aged red wine that undergoes a second fermentation to convert the alcohol into acetic acid—the main component of vinegar.
You should keep a bottle of red wine vinegar in a cool, dry, dark area, out of heat and lights – for both unopened or opened bottles. Your pantry or a cupboard is among the best options.
Generally speaking, keeping a bottle of red wine vinegar next to a window or near a stove is never a good idea.
Do you need to refrigerate red wine vinegar after opening?
It is unnecessary to refrigerate red wine vinegar once the bottle is opened. The acidic environment inhibits microbial growth. Consequently, it has a low risk of microbial spoilage.
If you want to keep it for an extended period, refrigeration may help to preserve its freshness. Either way, make sure the bottle is always tightly capped before placing it back to the storage.
How Do You Know If Red Wine Vinegar Has Gone Bad?
Red wine vinegar is a self-preserving food item. It won’t go bad or spoil like fresh produce, thanks to its acidic nature. In terms of quality, it may slowly degrade over time in your storage.
Next to that, it may experience some visual changes. These changes may look suspicious but are actually harmless.
1.Cloudy liquid
Any type of vinegar can get cloudy once air gets into the container. The cloudiness is more pronounced if the bottle is opened frequently. Don’t panic, hazy or cloudy vinegar remains safe to use.
2.The mother of vinegar
If you see sediment or something strange floating inside the bottle, that’s the mother of vinegar. This odd-looking object is not a sign of spoilage. With traces of alcohol left in the bottle, fermentation occurs when conditions permit.
As a result, the mother of vinegar is formed slowly over time. You can leave it as is, or filter it out with a straining cloth.
If you have an old bottle of red wine vinegar, make sure to give it a smell and taste test before use. In some circumstances, you may want to discard it because the bright flavor is gone. Or, you simply doubt if it will ruin dishes.
How Long Does Red Wine Vinegar Last?
Technically, you can keep red wine vinegar for many years or almost indefinitely. The low pH is not a hospitable environment for microbial growth that causes food spoilage.
With proper storage, red wine vinegar is best to use within 2 to 3 years. After this period, it remains safe to use. However, it may suffer from flavor and aroma loss. At this point, the decision is yours. Make sure the quality doesn’t drop dramatically to ruin your dishes.
Many of us have several bottles of different vinegar at the same time. If you’re not a frequent user, purchasing a small bottle is highly recommended. This way, you can get the most out of every bottle until the last drop without compromising its quality.
Classification
Pantry
Red wine vinegar
Indefinitely (unopened); for the best quality, use it within 1 to 3 years after opening.
This table is a rough estimate only. The actual shelf life depends on storage conditions. Make sure to check it before use.
FAQs
What are substitutes for red wine vinegar?
You have a wide range of options for red wine vinegar replacement. Depending on the dishes you’re cooking, or what you have on hand, you can substitute red wine vinegar with other wine-based vinegar, such as white wine vinegar, sherry vinegar, or champagne vinegar. Other popular alternatives are red wine, apple cider vinegar, lemon, or lime juice.
Does red wine vinegar contain alcohol?
Vinegar is made from the fermentation of alcohol. The end product may contain small traces of alcohol. The amount is negligible, usually lower than 1%.
Why does red wine vinegar have an expiration date?
It is not required by law, but many producers provide a “best by” date on the label. It’s a general estimate to inform the consumers when the vinegar retains its peak quality. It’s not a safety date. Next to that, it’s useful for the retailers for inventory management and product display.
Final Thoughts
Pretty much like other kinds of vinegar, red wine vinegar also benefits from indefinite shelf life, if properly stored.
Keep it in a cool, dry, dark place, protected from sunlight and heat. After opening, refrigeration is unnecessary, mainly if you use it very often. Refrigeration helps to preserve its freshness.
As time goes by, red wine vinegar may show visual changes and degrade in flavor and taste. Cloudy liquid and the appearance of floating “mother of vinegar” are harmless. However, if it smells or tastes different, better toss it out.
Rosa graduated with a master degree in Food Safety from Wageningen University and Research, The Netherlands. Recently, she started a consulting agency to facilitate the improvement of food safety, quality, and sustainability.
