Growing up, red wine vinegar

was an everyday part of a meal.

My mother served it on a leafy green salad and on many fresh vegetables each night at supper.

The wine vinegar she used was homemade. The red wine came from a family member or friend who made wine in their basement, as was the custom in many Italian-American homes. My mother always had an uncorked bottle of red wine in a kitchen cabinet, and she kept it there until it turned into vinegar.

Years later, I was introduced to balsamic vinegar and loved it and use it today. Red wine vinegar is still enjoyable and is reminiscent of my mother using it in a salad or drizzling it on vegetables.