A common ingredient that you will often see in recipes is white wine, as it adds flavour to many dishes. However, many recipes do not specify the type of wine you should choose, so you are left wondering if there are bad or good white wines for cooking, and which varieties you should use. In this simple guide, we cover the best white wines for cooking, along with some additional information that you may find helpful.
When Should You Use the Best White Wines in Cooking?
Wine is an ingredient in a wide range of recipes. Some ingredients work well with white wine, while red wine is the better option for other dishes.
Often, white wine is used to make wine sauces or a broth to accompany poultry, pork, seafood or vegetarian dishes. It is also an ingredient in some soups, casseroles, and pasta dishes. You may wonder ‘what is the best white wine for cooking chicken or seafood?’. Our simple guide gives you some tips.
Is There a Difference Between Bad and Good White Wines for Cooking?
Yes, there are good white wines for cooking and, equally, there are also bad white wines for cooking. However, expensive wine is not the same thing as the best white wine for cooking.
Often, you will lose the qualities of the most expensive white wines during the cooking process. Therefore, you should only use high-quality or costly wine if you are adding it at the end of the dish.
Otherwise, cheaper wines are fine to use in your cooking. They retain the flavours needed to give your dish the right balance.
It is more about the flavour of the wine you use than the price. Often, crisp, dry white wines are recommended for cooking, and you will see that The Fruity Tart also makes this recommendation. It is because they add just the right amount of sweetness, acidity, and fruitiness to a dish without overpowering the other ingredients.
Using sweeter wines can often make a dish too sickly, and the sugar content may even caramelize during the cooking process. Oaked wines are also not recommended as the oaky flavour becomes bitter and woody during cooking.
The Best White Wines for Cooking
The best white wine for cooking is any white wine that is described as dry and crisp. Therefore, some good white wines for cooking include:
Sauvignon blanc:
The overall best white wine for cooking is sauvignon blanc, which is a crisp, dry white wine that complements chicken and seafood perfectly. Sauvignon blanc is made using grapes of the same name, and it originally comes from the Bordeaux region of France. Now, there are variations of the wine made in other parts of the world, including New Zealand, Italy, South Africa, Chile, and California in the United States.
Unoaked Chardonnay:
Chardonnay is often aged in oak barrels, which give it an oaky flavour. For cooking, choose unoaked Chardonnay as these are dry and crisp without the oaky flavour that can become unpleasant during the cooking process. Chardonnay is a white grape variety, and the wine originates from France.
Pinot grigio:
Like sauvignon blanc, pinot grigio is a wine that originates from France. It is made using the Pinot Gris grape, which was first grown in the Burgundy region. There are now other countries that grow this grape and produce pinot grigio, including the United States, New Zealand, Italy, and Germany. Pinot grigio is slightly sweeter than sauvignon blanc, so consider the flavour when choosing a wine to add to a dish.
More of the Best White Wines for Cooking
Crisp, dry white wines are not the only option, as some other types of white wine are good for cooking. Some examples include:
Dry sherry:
An alternative to the wines listed above is dry sherry, which is a versatile ingredient to keep in your kitchen cupboards. If a recipe requires wine and you only have dry sherry, reduce the quantity by a half. Dry sherry adds a different dimension and more depth of flavour to almost any dish. Even if a recipe does not list it as an ingredient, experiment by adding just a dash of dry sherry. It is a great option for reducing the creaminess of a cream sauce, and it is excellent for deglazing your pan at the early stage of sauce making.
Dry Marsala:
Marsala is a fortified wine produced in the Sicilian city of the same name. There are both sweet and dry varieties, but the dry variety is the best option for cooking. It is most famously used in veal or chicken Marsala, which are Italian meat dishes. It is also used in Italian desserts, such as zabaglione. However, you can use Marsala in many other dishes.
Sparkling white wine for cooking:
People often believe that they cannot use sparkling wines in their cooking, or it will make their food fizzy. That is not the case as the bubbles disappear from the wine when it is added to the heat. Choose dry and crisp sparkling white wines for cooking.
Dry Madeira:
Madeira is a Portuguese fortified wine from Madeira Island. Although there are four varieties available, the dry Madeira is the best option for cooking.
Are There Alternatives to Using Wine in Cooking?
If a recipe lists white wine as an ingredient and you either do not want to use wine, or you do not have any at home, you may wonder if the is an alternative you can use.
One alternative to using white wine in cooking is to add extra vegetable or chicken stock to a recipe. If the wine is used in the recipe to give a little acidity, then a good alternative to white wine is often a little lemon juice. However, if the recipe also has cream, then the lemon may cause the cream to split or curdle.
Is White Wine Vinegar the Same as White Cooking Wine?
You may wonder if white wine vinegar is the same thing as white cooking wine. The simple answer to this is no; they are not the same thing. Therefore, you cannot interchange the white cooking wine in a recipe for the same quantity of white wine vinegar.
According to Masterclass, white wine vinegar is a vinegar made from white wine. The wine is fermented and oxidized to create an acidic substance with a light fruit flavour.
Similarly, you might wonder, is rice wine vinegar the same as white cooking wine? Again, the answer is no. Using rice wine vinegar instead of cooking wine but in the same quantity will make your food very acidic. Rice wine vinegar is something that you will only use sparingly.
Can I Use Corked Wine for Cooking?
If you have corked wine, then you might consider adding it to your cooking rather than wasting the wine you cannot drink. However, it is not a good idea to use corked wine in your cooking. The unpleasant flavours you taste when drinking corked wine will transfer to your dish.
The Best White Wines for Cooking- The Final Verdict
While there are some terrible wines for cooking, there are also some good white wines for cooking. Choosing the wrong wine can make your food too sweet or too acidic. However, choosing the best white wines for cooking will add the right balance of flavour to your food. Although there are many options, the best white wines for cooking are often described as crisp and dry. So, good wines for cooking include sauvignon blanc, pinot grigio, and unoaked Chardonnay. If you enjoy cooking with wine, you might also like our simple guide to the best red wines for cooking.