What happens to vinegar if it sits too long?

May turn into wine….....how long we talking about?

Over time, vinegar can turn back into wine. And, no. It’s not drinkable.

It gets cloudy sort of, and they call those clouds the grandfather and supposedly it doesn’t hurt you, but I don’t like the way it looks. I didn’t know it could turn into wine, how long does it take for that to happen? I never have it that long because I use a lot of it.

The Vinegar Institute says: “The Vinegar Institute conducted studies to find out and confirmed that vinegar’s shelf life is almost indefinite. Because of its acid nature, vinegar is self-preserving and does not need refrigeration. White distilled vinegar will remain virtually unchanged over an extended period of time. And, while some changes can be observed in other types of vinegars, such as color changes or the development of a haze or sediment, this is only an aesthetic change. The product can still be used and enjoyed with confidence”

@Harp- All I know is that we had some old wine that had turned to vinegar. We kept it and used it for cooking. After a while we forgot we had it. Years later, when we discovered it again, it had turned back. It was undrinkable, though.
My mom told me this had once happened with her, as well.

@AstroChuck In what way wasn’t it drinkable?

Taste. Perhaps I should have said unpalatable.

Wine turns into vinegar. Vinegar will age over time, the moisture will slowly evaporate, fortifying and sweetening the flavors. But, you have to do it properly. Aged balsamic vinegar is apparently insanely good.

@AstroChuck Unless you added some sugar and yeast to the vinegar there is no way that it would turn back into wine.

@beancrisp- Regardless of what you say I’m telling you it turned back. You couldn’t drink it though.