White wine vinegar

Vinaigre de vin blanc

What it is

Orléans became the vinegar capital of France by geography: barrels of wine came up the Loire towards Paris, and whatever soured on the journey was unloaded there. A failure of transport became a protected craft.

In the kitchen

The Orléans method ferments slowly in oak over weeks. Industrial vinegar is made in hours and tastes only of acid.

Goes with

Shallot Mustard Tarragon Olive oil Egg Black pepper Butter Chives

Same species

Cider vinegar Honey vinegar Malt vinegar Red wine vinegar Rice vinegar

Also used with

Abondance Allis shad Banana shallot Belon flat oyster Brill Camus de Bretagne artichoke

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