Those who have a favorite wine that they enjoy drinking shouldn’t have an issue choosing a good wine for cooking. However, those who don’t have even basic wine knowledge shouldn’t panic since we will guide them on how to choose wine for cooking.
There are many varieties of cooking wines including Sherry, Marsala, Rice Wine, Sauternes, etc. which can make cooking with wines an overwhelming.
Beginners may find it tough to decide on which kind of wine they can cook with, where to purchase it and which dishes it would taste better with. Furthermore, you may not have a wide knowledge of the various grape and wine varieties.
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Choosing Wine for Cooking
The main aim when cooking with wine is choosing that wine that complements the taste of the dish. Below we have a few guidelines to select from when choosing the wine to utilize in your recipe:
Use a Wine Which You Can Drink
The rule is – if you can’t drink it, do not cook with it. The taste of the wine will be amplified and concentrated in the dish. Therefore, it’s significant to select the wine which you would enjoy.
Check the acidity level
Wine’s acidity level should match the acidity level of the food you are cooking. For instance, if you are preparing a meal with tomatoes, which have a high acidity level, you should select a wine that has a higher acidity level to balance the flavors.
Match the Wine to the Meal you’re Preparing
If you are preparing a meal that has bold flavors like a rich pasta sauce or hearty stew, select a full-bodied wine that has similar bold flavors. If making a dish that has lighter flavors, like a chicken or fish dish, go for a lighter-bodied wine that has subtle flavors.
Red or White
White wine is suitable for use with dishes that have lighter flavors including chicken, fish, and vegetables while red wine is suitable for use in dishes that have bold flavors including beef.
Consider the Cooking Method
If you’re stewing or simmering a dish, a full-bodied wine that has tannins will be best for adding flavors. Moreover, if you’re pan-frying or deep-frying a dish, a lighter-bodied wine that has a higher acidity level will work best.
Check the Alcohol Level
Cooking wines have higher alcohol content which may heavily influence your food’s taste. When selecting cooking wine, choose the wine with a mid-range alcohol level.
This will assist in offering a good acidity level to effectively make delicious flavors. Moreover, sweet fortified wines that have higher alcohol content are also best for cooking savory sauces for seafood plus sweet sauces for preparing fruity desserts.
Check the Label
Reading the label is very significant since you will know the alcohol content since some red or white wines for cooking have low alcohol content compared to others.
Furthermore, if a label explains a wine as “fruity,” this does not necessarily mean that it has higher sugar content but refers to fruit flavor concentration.
The more details are available on the label, the more the brand is reliable. Other descriptions that you can find on the label include grape variety, the year of harvest, the area they were grown in, tasting notes, etc.
Cost
When choosing cooking wines, never be intimidated by their cost. You don’t need to select the most expensive variety since you can easily get the best quality cooking wines at an affordable cost.
Check retailers who offer bulk discounted prices and when you buy several bottles, you’ll have extra bottles for your future recipes.
What is the difference between cooking wine and regular wine?
Cooking wine is a variety of wines that are specifically meant for use in cooking. Moreover, this wine is made using lower-quality grapes plus it’s heavily salted and contains preservatives that assist in preventing spoilage.
In addition, cooking wine is also less expensive compared to regular wine.
On the other hand, regular wine is that which is intended for consumption as a beverage. It’s processed from higher-quality grapes plus it’s not salted.
In addition, regular wine is aged for some time to improve its complexity and flavor before it’s consumed. You can use regular wine in cooking since the alcohol cooks off. However, regular wine has a short shelf life once opened.
Is cooking with wine unhealthy?
No cooking with wine is not unhealthy. Cooking using wine is healthy only if consumed in moderation. Remember wine has antioxidants plus some other beneficial ingredients but it also has alcohol which can turn out to be unhealthy if consumed in excess.
Furthermore, cooking with wine also helps in adding flavor to your meals and makes them more delicious.
Can you use any red wine for cooking?
Yes, any red wine can be used for cooking. However, you should use a wine that you would also love drinking since the flavor will be more in the dish.
You should avoid using wine that has strong off-flavor since it can negatively affect your dish taste. Also, remember very expensive wines have very delicate flavors that may not withstand the heat.
Can you substitute red wine for white wine in cooking?
Yes, you can substitute red wine for white wine in cooking. Red wine is the best substitute for white wine but remember that the taste and color of your food may be affected.
Red wine comes with a stronger flavor and adds a deeper color to your food. Dry red wine is best for cooking and changing the flavorings and seasoning accordingly. Red wine is best when used with tomato sauces.
FAQs
Can you drink cooking wine to get drunk?
Yes, you can drink cooking wine to get drunk. Cooking wine can make you drunk, but not when used in cooking. However, cooking wine has higher preservatives and salt content. Due to this, it may not taste good. Cooking wines aren’t intended for drinking hence may be unsafe for drinking.
Is it safe to cook with wine when pregnant?
Yes, it’s safe to cook with wine when pregnant since the alcohol content will evaporate during the cooking process. However, it’s safest to avoid any alcoholic product completely when pregnant. Alternatively, consult with your doctor provider before taking any kind of product with alcohol during pregnancy.
Can minors eat food cooked with wine?
No, it’s not recommendable for kids to consume food cooked with wine. This is because of the neurophysiological risks that come with alcohol content including sleep disturbances, confusion, and unsteady walking. However, depending on the laws plus regulations which govern a place this may change as long as the alcohol has been completely cooked off. Kids cooking with wine is also not recommended.
