Wine – it’s more than just for drinking!
If you fancy yourself as a bit of a Gordon Ramsay-type yourself, you’ll no doubt understand the role wine can play in your cooking. Whether it’s a plump and juicy steak or a creamy pasta, there’s something decidedly romantic about cooking with wine.
Of course, as with all things gastronomic, it isn’t enough to simply dump that bottle of red you didn’t get to finish into your pot and call it a day!
The last thing you want is a wasted drop and a ruined dinner. Thankfully, I Like Wine wine delivery Melbourne is here to help you avoid this by choosing the best wine for your cooking and where to buy wine online before embarking on online wine sales purchases, calibrate your wine selection to one that you can use for this purpose.
What is the the cardinal rule of cooking with wine?
While there are some generally-accepted ideas about cooking with wine, there is one very important rule: no matter what you do, always use a wine for cooking that you would be happy to drink alongside your meal!
Simple, non?
We bring this up because despite how straightforward this piece of advice is, what a surprising number of people will do is buy a bottle of cheap stuff from their last wine shop Melbourne trip to use for cooking. Now, we aren’t saying that you need to splurge on a $60,000 bottle of wine – however, you should do your best to avoid going for the cheapest possible option.
Think of it this way: if you hate the taste of a wine while drinking it, why would you put it in your food to eat it?
We also recommend avoiding any specially-labelled “cooking wines”. Many of these wines are downright nasty, packed with sugar, salt, additives and who knows what else.
All of this can leave a strange aftertaste in your dinner (the last thing you want when you’ve got the in-laws over!)
Is there a difference between cooking wine & regular wine?
Yes, there is a difference between cooking wine and regular wine.
Cooking wine is specifically made for cooking and is not intended to be consumed on its own. It often contains added salt, which acts as a preservative and can help to enhance the flavor of the dish. Cooking wine is also less expensive than regular wine, and can be found in most grocery stores in the same aisle as other cooking oils and spices.
On the other hand, regular wine is intended for drinking and may not be suitable for cooking. Regular wine may have a higher alcohol content and a different flavour profile than cooking wine. Additionally, some regular wines may contain sulfites, which can make the wine taste bitter when used in cooking.
If you are cooking with wine, it is best to use a wine that you would also enjoy drinking, as the quality of the wine can affect the flavour of the final dish. Some cooks prefer to use regular wine in their cooking, while others prefer to use cooking wine for convenience and cost-effectiveness. Ultimately, the choice depends on personal preference and the specific recipe you are making.
Curious about which wine pairs best with your culinary creations? Explore our insights on wine food pairings to elevate your dining experience.
How to use wine in your cooking
Besides drinking (of course), wine can play three other roles in your meal. It can act as:
As marinade
Avoid using sweet wines or fortified wines like sherry or port, as they can overpower the other flavors. ombine the wine with other ingredients like herbs, spices, garlic, onion, olive oil, and vinegar to create a flavorful marinade. You can experiment with different combinations of ingredients to find what you like best.
As cooking liquid
Wine can be a delicious addition to many dishes as a cooking liquid, adding depth and complexity to the flavor.After cooking meat, remove it from the pan and set it aside. Add a small amount of wine to the pan while it’s still hot and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. This process is called deglazing, and it helps to incorporate the flavor of the meat into the sauce.
As Flavouring
Depending on the recipe, you may add the wine directly to the dish, or you may need to reduce it first. To reduce wine, simmer it in a saucepan until it has thickened and reduced by about half. Then, add it to the dish. If the recipe calls for adding the wine directly to the dish, simply pour it in and stir well. Wine can take a bit of time to fully infuse its flavor into a dish. Allow the dish to simmer or bake for a bit to allow the wine flavor to meld with the other ingredients.
In Roasting
Wine can be a delicious addition to many roasted dishes, adding depth and complexity to the flavour. Here are some tips on how to use wine in roasting:
Make a marinade: Combine the wine with other ingredients like herbs, garlic, onion, olive oil, and vinegar to create a flavorful marinade for the meat. Marinate the meat for several hours, or overnight, in the refrigerator to allow the wine and other ingredients to penetrate the meat.
Baste the meat: While the meat is roasting, baste it with a mixture of wine and other ingredients like herbs and butter. This will help to keep the meat moist and add flavor. Brush the mixture over the meat every 20-30 minutes.
In Steaming
Using wine in steaming cooking can infuse your dish with a subtle, flavorful taste. Add a small amount of wine to the water or other liquid you are using to steam your food. You can also add other ingredients like herbs, garlic, onion, and lemon to the liquid to enhance the flavour. Once the food is ready, you can serve it as is or add a sauce made from the steaming liquid, which will be infused with the flavors of the wine and other ingredients.
Braising Meats
Wine can add a rich and complex flavour to braised dishes. Pour in a generous amount of wine to deglaze the pot and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom. This will create a rich and flavorful sauce for the meat. Add enough liquid to the pot to cover the meat about halfway. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and simmer on low heat for several hours, until the meat is tender and falling off the bone. You can also add other ingredients like herbs, spices, and stock to enhance the flavour.
In Baking
Different wines work better with different baked goods. For example, white wine pairs well with lighter desserts like cakes and pies, while red wine is a good choice for richer desserts like chocolate cakes and brownies. Consider the flavors of the baked goods you’re making, and choose a wine that will complement them.Use wine in the batter, filling or the glazing!.
Whichever way your recipe calls for, a dash of wine can add that little extra something to your meal.
Different recipes will ask you to do different things with your vino, do consider the cooking method and the type of dish you will be cooking before you buy wine online as it is highly dependent on those factors.
As a rule of thumb however, the wine should have enough time to cook – unless your recipe specifically calls for it, do NOT add it in right before serving.
When you cook with wine, the vast majority of the alcohol evaporates, leaving only the flavour of wine behind.
What wine should I cook with: red or white?
And of course, you can’t talk wine without talking about pairings!
As a general rule, we advise using the same type of wine you’d drink with your meal – that means using white for seafood, red for steak, and so on.
Of course, each wine is unique, with its own aroma, flavour and qualities. Each of these can influence what your dinner tastes like, to it’s important that you choose a good wine to use in your cooking.
Enhance the flavor of your dishes by choosing the right wine. Check out our guide on white wines for cooking for expert tips.
Still haven’t the foggiest idea where to start? Here are some suggestions…
When it comes to white, Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc rule the roost
Owing to their crispness and generous acidity levels, these two wines are solid all-rounders for when a recipe needs a dash of white.
There are two attributes in particular that make these wines safe choices:
- Relatively moderate alcohol content
- Higher levels of acidity
Stronger wines aren’t always a good choice, as the high alcohol content can often take longer to cook.
And acidity is important, as that’s what gives your food the taste you’re looking for.
The beautiful thing about these varieties of white is that they can be bought just about anywhere, and won’t cost you an arm and a leg!
As a rule of thumb, you’ll want to avoid most varieties of chardy – if you must however, we recommend unoaked chardonnay, as this will lend your meal a fresher, fruitier flavour instead of the toasty taste that normally comes with oaked chardonnay.
Click here to buy white wine online.
With red wine, you’ll want to stick with Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Merlot
Some dishes might work better with fruity wines – others, more acidity.
Really, it all comes down to the individual recipe and the taste you want to achieve.
If you’re looking for a more versatile red however, dry and crisp are the words of the day.
That’s because sweeter wines like Shiraz or Grenache often lend your cooking a fruity flavours – while not always a bad thing, it can result in food that’s almost cloyingly sweet.
Generally speaking, these three reds deliver a good balance, making them safe, versatile choices for when you need to cook with red wine.
The thing with red wine in general is that it’s inherently much more tannic than white wines.
As such, it tends to turn bitter much faster than white, so be sure to cook around this.
Learn the art of how to store wine to ensure your bottles age gracefully and contribute to delightful meals.
Click here to buy red wine online.
Buy wine online with I Like Wine
Whether you’re looking to spice up an upcoming party or planning a dinner that’ll blow your guests away, a good bottle of vino can make or break your evening.
As such, you’ll want to make sure you choose only the best!
While we focus on wine, don’t forget about other spirits! Explore the world of whisky and discover how it can complement your gastronomic adventures.
I Like Wine, best online wine Australia stocks a wide variety of vintages from leading vineyards in Australia and the world.
Our wine-obsessed team are very particular with what gets listed on our site – that way, you’ll know you’re only getting the best.
In addition to wine, our catalogue also includes a variety of…
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Cheers to that!
