What’s the best wine to cook with?
Cooking with red wine can add depth and complexity to dishes, but choosing the right wine can be a challenge. Here are some tips for choosing the best culinary red wine:
1. Consider the flavor profile of the dish: If you’re making a rich and flavorful stew, you might want to choose a full-bodied red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Zinfandel. If you’re making a lighter dish like coq au vin, a lighter wine like Pinot Noir or Gamay might be a better choice.
2. Don’t use a wine you don’t like: While it’s true that cooking can mellow out a wine with a wine you don’t like, it’s not a good idea. The flavor of the wine will still be reflected in the finished dish, so choose a wine that you like the taste of.
3. Avoid oaked wines: Wines aged in oak barrels can have strong flavors of herbs and spices and may not be suitable for all dishes. If you’re making a dish with delicate flavors, choose a wine that hasn’t been aged in oak barrels.
4. Don’t use cooking wine: Cooking wine is often high in salt and has offensive artificial flavors. It is best to use real wine when cooking.
Can I use cheap wine for cooking?
Consider price: While you don’t need expensive wines to cook with, it’s important to avoid wines that are too cheap. Very cheap wines are often mass-produced and may not have the full-bodied flavors you want in your cooking.
Is Taylor Port cooking wine?
No, while port wine is delicious, don’t cook with dessert wine. The rich flavors and sugar of the dessert wine will overpower the dish. Of course, unless the recipe calls for port wine, you can.
What wine should I use to cook with?
It really depends on what you’re cooking and your personal preferences. Here are some popular culinary red wines:
1. Cabernet Sauvignon: Made from the Cabernet Sauvignon grape, this full-bodied wine is known for its bold blackcurrant and blackberry flavors. It’s a good choice for hearty dishes like stews and stews.
2. Pinot Noir: Made from Pinot Noir grapes, this light-to-medium-bodied wine has red fruit and earthy flavors. It is a good choice for dishes such as coq au vin and beef bourguignon.
3. Zinfandel: Made from the Zinfandel grape, this medium-to-full-bodied wine has flavors of blackberry and pepper. It’s a good choice for dishes like BBQ ribs and chili.
4. Gamay: Made from the Gamay grape, this light-bodied wine has red fruit and floral flavors. It’s a good choice for dishes like roast chicken and pork tenderloin.
5. Sangiovese: Made from the Sangiovese grape, this medium-bodied wine has cherry and earthy flavors. It’s a good choice for dishes like spaghetti bolognese and lasagna.
No matter which red wine you choose, it’s important to remember that a little goes a long way when cooking with wine. Start with a small amount and add more as needed. The key is to use enough booze to enhance the flavor of the dish without overpowering it.
In conclusion, the best red wine for cooking depends on the flavor of the dish and your personal preference.
