Rice Vinegar VS White Wine Vinegar | 13 Differences, Similarities & Substitutes

Rice vinegar VS white wine vinegar? Where is it coming from?

We cannot imagine cooking without spices or even seasonings and feel helpless when one most important zest is missing. Argh… the empty bottle of an ingredient is a nightmare to chefs.

That’s why you must know about the substitute of different spices and ingredients and have a complete idea about the taste and difference of a specific element.

Therefore, we’re having a complete discussion on Rice vinegar VS white wine vinegar, two essential ingredients of mouth-watering Asian cuisines, to find out if both can be used as substitutes or if we can find any more replacements for both.

Without a blink, let’s start.

PS: It is going to be an exciting read for chefs.

Rice Vinegar VS White Wine Vinegar

The pantry staple and a powerhouse ingredient, Vinegar makes the perfect component for various condiments to add a soothingly acerbic taste.

Not only is this due to its intense blends, vinegar is also used as a cleaning agent and used as a food preservative ingredient.

This being so, Vinegar comes in various types with a slight difference in taste and texture; some are used as cooking agents while some as cleaning agents.

Rice Vinegar VS White Wine Vinegar are two imperative types yet confuse people for being similar or different.

So, our discussion starts to find out if white wine vinegar is the same as rice vinegar. Let’s sink in:

Rice Vinegar

Rice vinegar is milder than regular vinegar and is produced from fermented rice. Starches, ‘the mother of the wine’ bacteria, and rice wine are used to prepare this softer vinegar variety.

Rice vinegar is made by:

1. Fermenting the starches in the rice
2. Adding Mycoderma acetic (a bacteria known as the mother of the wine)
3. Rice wine to convert the sugars into alcohol
4. Acetic acid

Combining these components helps us get perfect blends of Rice vinegar.

Rice Vinegar Taste:

Is Rice Wine Vinegar the same as Rice wine?

No! Both are different.

Rice Vinegar tastes different than rice wine, and both shouldn’t be swapped for flavor. Latter is sweet and acidic in flavor, slightly similar to apple cider vinegar.

Though it is mild in the tang, still small quantities are recommended using in dishes.

·   Smell

Rice vinegar has a pleasant sweet smell. However, if you feel like it smells too sweet, like sugar, stop using it; it is a sign of getting stale.

·    Texture

Rice vinegar comes in a liquid texture, but small cloudy chunks can be seen at the bottom. It is pretty standard; the mother of vinegar (the bacteria) keeps forming fragments even if filtered.

Fresh rice vinegar can have chunks; with that, it is harmless and safe to consume.

White Wine Vinegar

Is White Wine Vinegar the same as White Vinegar?

They are different in taste and essence and shouldn’t be substituted.

White wine vinegar is obtained by combining oxidized and fermented wine with a fruity flavor and the mother. 

Acetates and stainless steel vats combine the mixture because such containers let the oxygen in and insects out.

Rice Vinegar VS White Wine Vinegar: White wine vinegar doesn’t come with alcoholic content.

White Wine Vinegar Taste:

“More rounded, nuanced, and fruity taste”

White Wine Vinegar is prepared using white wine, not grain alcohol. It tastes mellower, softer, and less acetic than white vinegar.

·   Smell

White Wine Vinegar smells too strong, and when used for cleaning purposes, it takes many washes for the smell to go away.

·   Texture

It also has a liquid texture with cloudy chunks or jelly-like stuff at the bottom. Bacteria used in the formation of white wine vinegar make colonies and appear like chunks or clouds.

However, this doesn’t make the vinegar outdated or harmful to use. It is transparent with a whitish tinge.

Difference Between Rice Vinegar and White Wine Vinegar

Rice Vinegar VS White Wine Vinegar, here are the differences:

1.   Both Taste Different:

The first difference between white wine vinegar and rice vinegar is the taste.

Sourness and tartness levels are changed. Rice vinegar is though acetic, but the sourness is mild in it, while white wine vinegar, due to the wine content, tastes too sharp.

2.   Both Differ in Color:

Vinegar comes in a transparent texture, but it shows some color. So, Rice Vinegar VS White Wine Vinegar showcases different colors.

Rice vinegar has a pale yellow, golden, or amber-like tone, while White Wine Vinegar comes with a whitish tinge.

3.   Ingredients are Different:

The base ingredient in both types of vinegar is different. As the name denotes, Rice vinegar has a base ingredient as fermented rice.

On the other hand, white wine vinegar can be made using a variety of grains like corn, wheat, or others.  

4.   Uses are Different:

They both diversify in terms of usage as well. Rice vinegar comes with the sole purpose of being used in culinary dishes.

Contrary to this, white wine vinegar can be used as a culinary or cleaning agent, depending upon the need and requirement. However, it doesn’t make the vinegar harmful.

Similarities in White Wine Vinegar VS Rice Vinegar

We don’t find enough Rice Vinegar VS White Wine Vinegar similarities except for the purpose.

Yes, the only similarity between both vinegar varieties is that they are prepared for the same purpose:

1. To add acidity or tartness to dishes like sauces
2. To enhance the flavor of your meals

Checking at such dissimilarities, a question often occurs for Rice Vinegar VS White Wine Vinegar users, i.e., can I substitute rice vinegar for white wine vinegar?

Let’s find out;

Can I Substitute Rice Vinegar for White Wine Vinegar?

Umm… Yes! 😀

Though they both taste different, you can still happily substitute these vinegar varieties for each other using your culinary skills and some magic.

As the white wine vinegar is harsher and less sweet in taste, keep the quantity low and add some sugar to it when you intend to substitute it for rice vinegar.

Now, imagine you were cooking something new in your kitchen and found out both your favorite vinegar varieties have ended from the pantry… what else can you use?

Don’t worry; Look Broad is here to help again with its What to Eat Addition.

Substitutes of Rice Wine Vinegar VS White Wine Vinegar

Here is one single option that can be used as a substitute for both vinegar varieties.

1.   Apple Cider Vinegar:

The best thing about Apple Cider Vinegar is that it makes a perfect substitute for all types of vinegar, thanks to its fainted apple flavor, which doesn’t overpower.

It has enormous health benefits, such as maintaining blood pressure and helping against migraines and nausea. Not just this, it is readily available everywhere and a pretty pocket-friendly option.

Now, to some more amazing spices and seasonings that can be used as Rice Vinegar VS White Wine Vinegar substitutes:

Best Substitute for Rice Vinegar

For rice wine vinegar, find the following things in your kitchen:

2.   Sherry Vinegar:

It tastes just similar to Rice vinegar, mildly acidic, and blends sweetness; thus, it makes an ideal substitute.

It also allows you to experiment with the flavor by adding sugar to the blend to make it more similar to your requirement.

3.   White Wine Vinegar:

The whole discussion on Rice Vinegar VS White Wine Vinegar updated us about the flavor, texture, and taste of both varieties, so if you have one White Wine Vinegar, you can substitute it for rice vinegar.

All you have to do is keep the quantity small and add some sugar cubes for a similar zest.

4.   Balsamic Vinegar:

Balsamic vinegar comes with a taste that has a mellow sweetness and slight tangy blends. If the vinegar is old, the sweetness can overlap the whole savor.  

However, being old or new, balsamic vinegar makes a sumptuous replacement for Rice Vinegar in pizzas, baked chicken, or salads.

Best Substitute for White Wine Vinegar

If you don’t find white wine vinegar in your kitchen, here are some substitutes to help you:

5.   Red wine vinegar:

Nothing can beat red wine when it comes to the best replacement for white wine vinegar. Readily available everywhere, we are sure it is resting in your pantry.

So how to substitute red wine vinegar for the white one? Use 1:1 because they are pretty similar in taste.

6.   Sherry vinegar:

Sherry vinegar is sweeter yet saltier with blends of tanginess inside that make a good substitute for Rice Vinegar VS White Wine Vinegar.

Yes, it can be used as a replacement for both under discussion varieties. It is used in green stuff mainly.

7.   Lemon juice:

For the licorice taste and tartness, lime juice or lemon juice come as the best substitutes for white wine vinegar.

However, lemons are highly tangy compared to white wine vinegar; hence keep the quantity not more than a pinch while substituting.

Bottom Line

Here, our discussion on Rice Vinegar VS White Wine Vinegar comes to an end.

Did you find it fruitful?

Which vinegar is your favorite for Rice Vinegar VS White Wine Vinegar?

Let us know in the comments below. We love hearing from you.