Balsamic vinegar is a staple in most people’s kitchen cupboards, but you’ve just come across a recipe that asks for Sherry Vinegar instead.
When it comes to Sherry Vinegar vs Balsamic, what’s the difference?
Do you have to go out and buy some Sherry Vinegar, or can you substitute it with Balsamic?
This article will teach you all you need to know about this topic.
Sherry Vinegar
Ingredients
If you look at a Sherry Vinegar’s label and see a long ingredient list, it’s a sign to stay away. 2-3 ingredients are the most common. Ideally, there shouldn’t be more than two ingredients, one of which is either called fermented Sherry Wine or simply Sherry Vinegar.
The other will usually be sulfites, though some companies will not list them as separate ingredients, as they are naturally occurring. However, they will mention their existence somewhere on the label, as some people have an intolerance against sulfites.
How Is Sherry Vinegar Made?
The first step in making Sherry Vinegar is making Sherry Wine; this is then fermented to produce Sherry Vinegar.
After fermentation, the Sherry Vinegar needs to be aged in oak barrels (at least six months).
What Kinds Of Sherry Vinegar Are Available? Where Can I Buy It?
The flavor of Sherry Vinegar depends on two things, how long it has been aged and which grapes have been used.
The Aging Categories
- Vinagre de Jerez must have been aged for at least 6 months.
- Vinagre de Jerez Reserva must have been aged for at least 2 years.
- Vinagre de Jerez Gran Reserva must have been aged for at least 10 years.
The Three Types of Grapes that can be used for Sherry Vinegar
- Palomino is the most common, generally floral and fruity flavors.
- Pedro Ximénez is an intense mix of sweet, tangy, and savory notes. Not so common, but a very nice vinegar.
- Moscatel is the most uncommon but produces the sweetest Sherry Vinegar.
While grocery stores, especially smaller ones, might not offer a huge selection of Sherry Vinegars, your options increase when you opt for online shopping. Amazon, for example, has some nice products.
Columela Sherry Vinegar Clasico is a popular Spanish Sherry vinegar made from Palomino grapes.
Roland Sherry Wine Vinegar is an authentic Spanish Sherry Vinegar with a delicate flavor.
Arvum Sherry Vinegar is also made from Palomino grapes and imported. The brand also sells a tasty Sherry Vinegar made from Pedro Ximénez grapes (both options are highly recommended).
Balsamic Vinegar
Ingredients
Balsamic vinegar should only have two ingredients: wine vinegar and grape must (which can occur as cooked, concentrated, etc.).
Companies sometimes also list sulfites as an additional ingredient, though many simply mention them in a line under the ingredient list.
How Is Balsamic Vinegar Made?
Producing Balsamic vinegar can be quite complex, depending on which type of Balsamic is produced (more about that below).
The short of it: freshly pressed grapes are turned into grape must, which is boiled, fermented, and acidified (which, for cheaper versions, is often sped up by adding additional ingredients).
The result is then aged in oak barrels – the more expensive kinds of Balsamic will have been aged for at least 12 years, and the really expensive ones have been aged for up to 100 years!
What Kinds Of Balsamic Vinegar Are Available? Where Can I Buy It?
People aren’t aware of it, but there actually are different types of Balsamic.
- Artisan is the authentic one, made the traditional way in the Italian provinces Modena and Reggio
- Condimenti is similar to Artisan but isn’t aged long enough (at least 12 years) to fall into the above category, expensive but a little cheaper than artisan
- Industriale is made for the mass market, still good, but nowhere near as complex as Artisan and Condimenti.
- Imitation as the name suggests, isn’t authentic, which means that they aren’t made in the right regions. They are often made in just a day and have added ingredients. They make up 70% of the balsamic vinegar market!
You can find the last two types of Balsamic vinegar in grocery stores, Walmart, and any other store that sells groceries and has an aisle or section with condiments.
The more expensive kinds of Balsamic are less likely to be found in average stores. You will have to either go to a specialty store or shop online.
Amazon does have a good selection. Here are three examples.
365 by Whole Foods Market Balsamic Vinegar is a reasonably priced product that does not have to hide from more expensive competitors.
Guiseppe Giusti’s Balsamic Vinegar is the choice for people who take their cooking seriously and want only the best of the best. This one is made in Italy.
THYA Organic Balsamic Vinegar is a good option if the USDA organic seal is important for your purchase decisions.
Comparison Questions
Which Is More Acidic?
Sherry Vinegar has an acidity of 6-7%, while Balsamic Vinegar has an acidity of 6%.
This means that some types of Sherry Vinegar are more acidic than Balsamic, but overall, both acidity levels are similar.
Which Is More Affordable?
This is not easy to answer, considering both products’ different range of qualities.
However, Balsamic vinegar is more common, and there is more competition in the market. You will find cheap Balsamic vinegar, but you will have a harder time finding cheap Sherry Vinegar.
On the other end, though, high-quality, authentic Balsamic Vinegars are incredibly expensive, almost like liquid gold.
For the average consumer, Balsamic vinegar from the grocery store is the more affordable option. In contrast, even the Sherry vinegar in normal shops tends to be more expensive.
Which Has More Uses? Which Is Better For Cooking?
Their mild flavor makes Sherry Vinegar and Balsamic perfect for making vinaigrettes, salad dressings, and sauces. Which one you prefer is a matter of taste – though there’s no doubt that an authentic Italian, aged Balsamic will outshine most Sherry options.
While Sherry Vinegar can also be used for other cooking purposes, Balsamic works better for marinades, soups, and the like.
Overall, both are great, and whichever you choose will have good results, especially if you can afford to pay for better quality.
Final Thoughts
The main difference is that authentic Balsamic vinegar is generally aged longer than even the best quality Sherry Vinegar. Sherry Vinegar also seems to have a wider variety of different flavors.
For both kinds of vinegar, it’s a fact that the more you pay, the better the quality (usually). If you are looking for complex vinegar, both options have some excellent choices, but if you just want tasty, affordable vinegar, Balsamic is the best choice.
