Wow this looks fun?!

[smallblueplanet]

Make your own wine vinegar



Are any of our froggy ex-pats making any wine vinegar?

[Nicos]

Nope- doesn't sit round long enough!!!!

Looks interesting though!!!

[bobleponge]

I toyed with the idea when I first moved across, but everything else seemed to get in the way. Any idea where I can get Mere from, or even what its called in French?
I like the look of that pot more than anything else.

[scarey55]

I've made loads of wine vinegar but only by accident

I'm with you Bob, I love the look of the pot but haven't ever heard of Mere.
*note to self - ask around to see if I can get some

[smallblueplanet]

Okay, someone on ebay sells mere! I can't read what the info that goes with it says though

MERE A VINAIGRE MERE POUR VINAIGRE MERE DE VINAIGRE on eBay, also, Gastronomie, Spécialités, Vins, Gastronomie (end time 04-Dec-08 09:25:54 GMT)

Or on ebay.fr

vinaigre mere, Vins, Gastronomie sur eBay - Achetez, vendez!

and another really cool pot!

vinegar pot

[bobleponge]

Thanks SBP. Thats my xmas pressie to myself sorted, and then red wine vinegar shall be mine. As well as a couple of cool pots.

[smallblueplanet]

Lol! I knew someone would have to have it! But exactly what have you bought bob?

[bobleponge]

I have bought:
"mere from my excellent vinegar."
Make your own vinegar, mere delivered in its own vinegar in its own container.
I have to put it into a pot, ideally clay (I think?) or glass but if its glass I have to shield it from the sun.
It mustnt come into contact with metal.
I have to pour 1-2 litres of good wine or cider into my mere and then after a couple of months I will have a wonderful wine vinegar, indespensable for good cooking, and also for many cleaning jobs around the house.

There's a bit more blurb at the bottom but thats the gist of it. I shall indeed be doing just that when I get home. Somewhat disturbed about the good cooking and cleaning jobs bit though!!!

[smallblueplanet]

Thats the sort of translation google gives! Sounds fun though, let us know how you get on with the 'mother' for vinegar won't you?

[Seahorse]

Converting 'good wine' into 'cleaning solution'? You're doin' it wrong Bob!

I do like those pots though! No reason you couldn't use them for other things?

*heads off to ebay*

[smallblueplanet]

There are plenty of recipes that call for good quality vinegar you know! *shakes head

[bobleponge]

I have googled the translation in a huff, and sadly I have to say theirs is better, although some of the English is a touch ropey.
Thanks for posting this "mere" though. I am very excited about making wine vinegar. Like the author on your original post, I WILL NOT be buying wine especially to make vinegar with, but shall use the ends of bottles I dont drink to fill my vessel.
Now I just need to purchase a couple of awesome pots like those and away I go.
Oh, and get home of course.
Pah!!

[smallblueplanet]

I've been reading the Seeds of Italy catalogue that arrived in today's post - in one of the recipes they also talk about home-made vinegar and a 'a gelatinous substance used to 'turn' wine into vinegar' called 'madre' - the mother.

That remined me of this thread...so how's your mere boble?

[bobleponge]

My mere has arrived, its currently sitting on my unit in the front room, looking all motherly. I am collecting a vinagrier this evening and I shall begin.
Will stick some piccies on as the process unfolds.
Quite exciting really, although the downside of course is that I shall have to leave more wine in the bottom of the bottles, which is a touch tedious, and something I find difficult to do.

[smallblueplanet]

This sounds really interesting (hmmm I must get out more!), have you found any vinegar 'recipes'? How long do you leave it before et voila you have vinegar? Oh and I imagine the better the wine you 'use' the better the vinegar? Or am just saying that to wind boble up?! There's plenty of wine in France for there to be some to spare!