The combination of culture-independent methods with culture-dependent methods in a polyphasic system is recommended as an effective approach to overcome the difficulties regarding the isolation and cultivation of AAB strains . In the last decade, several studies using the culture-independent DGGE and Temporal Tempera-ture Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (TTGE) techniques were reported for the characterization of the microbial community in vinegar and the determination of population dynamics of AAB during fermentation In addition, the real-time PCR technique has also been proposed for culture-independent detection of different genera, or species, of AAB. Recently,the intercalating dye-based real-time PCR analysis involved in specific melting temperature (Tm) and high-resolution melting analysis were applied as a highly promising new approach for confirming the identification and grouping of the culturable strains belonging to different bacterial species,but not yet to AAB. These new approaches provide a rapid and reliable tool for the detection of small differences in the target DNA sequences of closely related species.