Cooking with Wine: Expert Advice on What to Use (Part 1)

One of the key tips that all incredible chefs know is that cooking with wine can really help elevate a meal. Whether you’re adding a splash to a hearty stew, a delicious pasta dish, or even a tasty marinade, the addition of wine can really bring out the flavors and help tie the meal together. You can pick up some bottles at a store or order wine online and keep it in a stockpile, but making sure you have some on hand for cooking is always a great idea. We’ve compiled some expert tips in this two-part series to help you cook with wine like the experts!

How Does Alcohol Content Impact a Dish

When cooking with wine, many people mistakenly believe that the alcohol in the wine will dissipate. However, this is actually not the case. Only if you’re cooking the dish for over three hours will the alcohol disperse. This is important to remember as there will likely be alcohol residue in your dish, so keep it in mind if you’re cooking the meal for non-drinkers or children.

Using Corked Wine

One of the most important things to remember about cooking with wine is to not use corked wine. What exactly does this mean? Well, the term corked is used to refer to a wine that has been contaminated by cork taint, or the chemical compound TCA that makes it taste and smell less pleasant. The taint of the cork can come through in the flavor of the dish and impact the taste. A good rule of thumb is generally if you wouldn’t drink it, don’t use it in your cooking. You can however use leftover wine, as long as it hasn’t gone bad or become too vinegary to the taste.

Cooking with White Wine

There are a number of dishes that work extremely well with white wine, including risottos, white wine sauces, and coq au vin. Some of the best whites to use for a starting point will likely be Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc, wines that have a crisp and dry note to them. Wines that have more aromatics to them such as Rieslings might be a bit trickier to work with, however, they can often be used when cooking something like fish for example.

Cooking with Red Wine

When using reds for cooking, the key is to look for something not overly tannic, but with big, spicy, and rich flavors. A good starting point for the newer chef would be an inexpensive Merlot for example. Meaty sauces and stews are a great entry point into experimenting with red wine cooking.

Rollers Wine & Spirits

If you’re looking to order wine online for your cooking stockpile, come check out all of the amazing products we have to offer at Rollers Wine & Spirits. We have decades of experience in personalized beverage services, and offer a wide variety of options, from full-bodied reds to sweet or dry whites. Drop by and see what we have available, and don’t forget to read Part 2 of this series- Cooking with Wine: Expert Advice on What to Use.