When reading recipes for cooking, you will often see red wine in the list of ingredients. Adding red wine to dishes adds a depth of flavour that can improve a meal significantly. However, recipes often do not specify the type of red wine you will need. They usually refer to a quantity of red wine rather than a varietal, which leaves many people wondering which are the best red wines for cooking and if there is a difference between bad and good red wines for cooking.
In this simple guide, we give you information about cooking with red wine that we hope you find helpful. There is also a list of our recommendations for the best red wines for cooking.
When Should You Use the Best Red Wines for Cooking?
There are many uses of red wine in cooking, and cuisines across the globe use it as an ingredient. Just some of the uses of the best red wines for cooking include:
- Sauces: One of the most common uses of red wines in cooking is to make sauces, which involves a process called reduction. There are many varieties of red wine sauce, and you can read our easy red wine sauce recipe as a starting point. When wine is heated, the alcohol is ‘cooked out’, which means it evaporates with some of the water content. The natural sugars in the wine then cause the liquid to thicken into a sauce.
- Marinades: When combined with other ingredients, you can use red wine as a marinade for meat or fish. The flavours of the wine and the other ingredients infuse into the flesh of the fish or meat to give it a more robust flavour.
- Glazes: You can use red wine to create a glaze, which you add during the later stages of the cooking process. A glaze caramelizes during the cooking process, which gives the outside of the meat a sticky coating that is full of flavour.
- Stews and casseroles: Adding red wine to stews and casseroles tenderizes the meat and gives the gravy a deep, rich flavour. Some well-known examples of stews and casseroles containing red wine include chicken chasseur, boeuf bourguignon, and coq au vin.
Why is Red Wine Used for Cooking?
There are many reasons why good red wines for cooking are an ingredient in recipes. The most common purposes include:
- Acidity: One of the main reasons people use red wine in cooking is to add acidic notes to a dish.
- Fruity flavours: Another flavour you will taste when adding most types of red wine is fruitiness. The prominence of the fruit flavour depends on the kind of wine you add to the dish.
- Aromas: Wine also adds to the aroma of a dish, and the type of aroma depends on the variety of wine you add.
- Tenderization: Red wine can also have a functional purpose in a dish rather than just adding delicious flavours and fragrant aromas. The primary practical purpose of adding red wine is to tenderize the meat or fish. Adding wine means that meat will fall apart and prevent it from becoming chewy during the cooking process.
Is There a Difference Between Bad and Good Red Wines for Cooking?
Yes, there is a difference between good and bad red wines for cooking. Not every red wine is suitable for cooking, as each red wine has a different flavour profile. The levels of sugar and acidity in a dish are two factors that determine its suitability for cooking, and the type of ageing process and the age of the wine can also make a difference.
The Best Red Wines for Cooking
Some wines are better than others for cooking and choosing the right varietal will make a significant difference to the flavour of your dish. You should avoid cooking with red wines that have oaky flavours, as these become bitter and woody during cooking. Here are our recommendations for the best red wines for cooking.
Cabernet sauvignon:
The overall best red wine for cooking is cabernet sauvignon, due to its versatility and full-bodied flavour. It is one of the best red wines for cooking beef, lamb, or stews. Cabernet sauvignon is also great for stews and casseroles as it is a fantastic braising liquid for tenderizing the meat while also adding flavour. You can then add the braising liquid as a glaze. A further way to use cabernet sauvignon is to deglaze a pan, as it will not caramelize or stick to the pan due to its low sugar content.
Chianti:
It is a good option for sauces and cooking with vegetables. Chianti (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chianti) is an Italian wine that is produced in the Chianti region of Italy.
Merlot:
The best red wine for chicken, pork, or duck dishes is merlot. This wine is low in tannins, and it has a fruity and silky flavour. It is a fantastic option for making red wine sauces as it has bold flavours and thickens nicely in a pan over low heat.
Pinot Noir:
A versatile red wine that goes well with both beef and seafood dishes is pinot noir. It tenderizes meat well, and its acidity counteracts the fattiness of the meat. The flavour is not too overpowering, so it is a wine that many people find palatable.
Best Fortified Red Wines for Cooking
In addition to the mainstream wines, there are also many excellent fortified wines that you can use in cooking. Fortified wines generally have more complex flavours, and there are usually raisin or nutty undertones. Here we make our recommendations for the best fortified red wines for cooking.
Madeira:
Produced in the Sicilian city of Madeira, this fortified wine is excellent in desserts due to its sweet flavour.
Marsala:
An Italian fortified wine, marsala is available in both red and white varietals, both of which are available in dry and sweet variations. A sweet red marsala is ideal for desserts, while a dry red marsala is fantastic in savoury dishes.
Port:
According to Liquor.com (https://www.liquor.com/articles/what-is-port/), port is a fortified red wine from Portugal. It was created as a way of preserving Portuguese red wines. Port is a strong contender for making a sauce as the flavours include a hint of spice alongside the fruitiness.
Sherry:
Another type of fortified wine you can use in cooking is sherry. It is a good option for braising meat or for adding to vegetable dishes.
Are There Alternatives to Using Red Wine in Cooking?
When a recipe list red wine as an ingredient but you do not have any in the house, there are alternatives to consider. The first option is to omit this ingredient, especially if the recipe only requires a small amount.
However, red wine is listed as an ingredient for a reason, whether it is to tenderize, to add acidity, or to give the dish a fruity flavour. Therefore, simply omitting the red wine is not always the best option.
An excellent alternative is to use fruit juices, as these contain some of the acidity and fruitiness of the wine. Red grape juice is the best choice, but this is not your only option. Other fruit juices that are a suitable replacement include pomegranate or cranberry juice, says Healthline. Another way to add some acidity into a dish is to squeeze in some lemon or lime juice.
Is Red Wine Vinegar the Same as Red Cooking Wine?
If you do not have any red wine, but you do have some red wine vinegar in your cupboard, you might think about using is it as an alternative ingredient for a dish. However, red wine vinegar is not the same thing as red cooking wine.
Red wine vinegar is a vinegar made from red wine. The wine is fermented and oxidized, and these processes create an acidic liquid that has a light fruit flavour. Therefore, if you choose to use red wine vinegar as an alternative to red wine in a dish, then you should use a smaller quantity. Otherwise, the dish will become too acidic to eat.
Livestrong notes that red wine vinegar serves a different purpose to red wine in cooking. Usually, you will use it cold to add flavour to dressings.
Can I Use Corked Red Wine for Cooking?
When someone realizes that a wine is corked and tastes unpleasant, they might consider using it in their cooking to avoid wasting the wine. However, you should not use corked wine in your cooking, as the corked flavour will transfer to your dish and make it unpleasant to eat.
The Best Red Wines for Cooking- The Final Verdict
The wines you use in your cooking can make a significant difference to the flavour of a dish, so there are some good red wines for cooking and others that taste terrible. Our suggestions for the best red wines for cooking should help you to create delicious dishes that are full of flavour. If you enjoy cooking with wine, you should also read our simple guide for the best white wines for cooking.