Vinegar from wine

[6carboys]

The batch of concord grape wine I made 2011 about 15 gals turned out great except about 3gallons I had in a plastic bucket that didn't have the lid that seal the bucket. In it' place I covered it with a large pizza pan. It went unforgoten till now and now vinegar the alcohol by volume is 12 and the wine is 42. The vino meter was 6 and 21. Is it still ok for cooking and salads?
Thanks
6carboys

 

[djrockinsteve]

Yes. Pour off from any sediment. Always keep aging vinegar away from your wine making as the spores could ruin your wine.

 

[JohnT]

I can not stress the importance of what DJ just posted. Get the vinegar AWAY from anything even remotely related to winemaking!

 

[6carboys]

Thank you for advice. What contributed more for the change to vinegar? The pizza pan I used for a lid that didn't seal the bucket or the 2/3 full bucket?
Thanks

 

[sour_grapes]

Either would have done the wine in after 3 years, I think.