Alchemical Symbolism in the VMS

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When wine dies, vinegar is born.

Vinegar maker was an independent profession in the late Middle Ages. French vinegar makers in particular were well known. They were first registered in Paris in 1394.

If multiple distillation of wine to quintessence (high-proof alcohol) was the goal, then wine was probably distilled directly. If vinegar was wanted, then the wine was further fermented in open containers (so-called "surface fermentation"). In this process, special bacteria formed, the so-called "Mother of vinegar".

However, I know very little about the production of high-proof alcohol, maybe you know more about it.