what is spirit vinegar?

[aisma]

I was suprised to see spirit vinegar in a cheese ploughman sandwhich today.  I do not drink any alcohol and asume that this type of vinegar and red/white wine vinegar has alcohol in it, so i keep away from all the foods with this ingrediant, am I depriving myself of all these foods unnecessarily? 

[Bangkok]

Spirit vinegar is used to pickle produce such as chillies and peppers.  None of the brands I have used have alcohol in them.