Chile is becoming a mecca for wine-loving taste buds. So it is surprising to discover that there is not also an array of exquisite vinegars in Chilean pantries. The women behind Origen Vinegars have set out to change this – and have succeeding in producing world-class vinegars with a flair distinctly Chilean.

They hand-select the best quality wines from two renowned wine producing regions. The Casablanca Valley, with its Pacific air and cold foggy mornings, produces exceptional chardonnays, while the Colchagua Valley is well known for full bodied cabs with ripe red andblack berry aromas.

The wine is placed in French or American oak barrels that have been previously used by wine makers - this helps to reduce the oakiness of the vinegar. Next acetic bacteria, known as the "mother" is introduced to start the fermentation process. After five to six months, depending on the season, all of the wine has been converted to vinegar. This is the traditional Orleons method used in the production of quality vinegars for centuries.

Next the vinegars go through a maceration or blending process that makes Origen flavored vinegars stand apart from other vinegars on the market. Real fruit, herbs and nuts are used toinfuse the vinegars with the scents and flavors of Chile.Mint, tangerine, green chiles, almonds,basil, and berries ? each flavor is unique.

Once blended the vinegars go through a natural decantation process to remove the sediments (non natural vinegars use chemicals to speed up this process). They are then filtered, bottled, and pasteurized. Pasteurization of the vinegars allows Origen to avoid the use of added sulfites, resulting in a vinegar that is almonds completely sulfite-free.