You’re not going to believe this, but the best red wine vinegar actually tastes like red wine. I should know. When I taste tested more than a dozen brands to find the best red wine vinegar for salad dressing (and a lot more), I swished and spit this stuff like a sommelier. I was looking for red wine vinegar that couldn’t be confused for distilled, apple cider, or balsamic vinegar if you were blindfolded. The best tasting red wine vinegar is acidic, yes, but it’s also a little sweet and definitely tastes like it began its life as grapes.
As a frequent consumer of wine at places that probably shouldn’t be serving wine (like sports bars), this taste test got in my head a little. When a bottle of red is past its prime, it starts to taste like vinegar, thanks to a bacteria called acetobacter. So, if you tend to associate the combination of wine and vinegary acidity with spoiled sports bar wine, you’ll need to get past that. Lean into the tang. Think of the lovely mignonette you can make. And let’s take a glug of the best red wine vinegar for salad dressing (and a lot more) at the grocery store.
- Kroger Red Wine Vinegar
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Not all cheap, store-brand red wine vinegar is created equal. We had the displeasure of trying some really sad, highly astringent red wine vinegar in this taste test. Seriously, so much red wine vinegar is almost indistinguishable from white vinegar and that shouldn’t be the case. If you happen to shop at a Kroger-owned grocery store, we’re pleased to report that their generic red wine vinegar is pretty good. It’s flavorful and tastes like extra-fermented wine. This may not be the star of the show, but it’s the best red wine vinegar if you just need a splash of something to brighten up a cassoulet.
Credit: Merc / Kroger
- 365 Red Wine Vinegar
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Whole Foods’ 365 brand makes a lot of really good condiments, and their red wine vinegar is worth picking up the next time you’re there to raid the hot bar. It’s winey, but in a specifically fruity way. It’s perfumed and a little floral, and way different from most of the other red wine vinegar we tasted. If you want a red wine vinegar that very specifically channels a nice Pinot Noir, 365 is the best brand of red wine vinegar. This stuff would make some really tasty quick-pickled red onions for al pastor tacos.
Credit: Merc / Amazon
- Star Italian Kitchen Red Wine Vinegar
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If you’re looking for a red wine vinegar that leans savory, Star Italian Kitchen is a great option. In fact, I think the peppery finish makes this the best red wine vinegar for salad dressing—it’s going to make such a flavorful vinaigrette if you pair it with a nice, robust olive oil. It’s definitely less acidic than other brands, so if you need something that will really add a pop of brightness to your dish, look elsewhere on this list, but it was my personal favorite. The bulbous little bottle is cute, too.
Credit: Merc / Walmart
- Colavita Red Wine Vinegar
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Colavita red wine vinegar looks and tastes expensive even though it’s only about six bucks a bottle. That alone makes it some of the best red wine vinegar, but it has lots of other great qualities, too. It really tastes like a good, Italian red wine, but it’s also super bright and tart. Make a red wine vinegar dressing or use this to make a reduction—the quality is high enough that it can do a lot, but the price point won’t make you balk. We all agreed that this is the best tasting red wine vinegar we tried.
Credit: Merc / Pavilions
Best Budget
Best Fruity
Best Savory
Best of the Best
Other products we tried: Great Value, Pompeian, Pompeian Organic, Regina, Signature Select, Trader Joe’s, Heinz, Holland House
Thoughts? Questions? Complete disagreement? Leave a comment!