A Guide to Cooking with Wine

Cooking with wine is a great way to add complexity to sauces, soups, and braises. This is a crash course in cooking with wine, designed to help you figure out how to choose a bottle and what to do with it. 

What type of wine should I cook with?

When it comes to choosing a wine the golden rule is this: don’t cook with anything that you wouldn’t want to drink. It’s simple! If you don’t enjoy the flavors of wine in the glass, you won’t enjoy them in your dinner. 

Cooking wine vs. Wine

The “cooking wine” that you’ll find in grocery stores next to the vinegars won’t provide the flavor you need. To be marketed as a food item, this wine is often full of extra salts and other ingredients. 

Does all of the alcohol really cook off? 

Alcohol starts to evaporate at 172°F. That’s much lower than the boiling point of water, which is 212°F. However not all of the alcohol will instantly evaporate the moment your dish starts to simmer. Exactly how much alcohol evaporates depends on heat, cooking time, and the surface area of the cooking vessel. It is generally estimated that between 60% and 95% percent of the alcohol added will cook off. 

Don’t forget fortified wine 

Fortified wines are wines that have been fortified with the addition of a stronger alcohol. These are wines like sherry, Madeira, and marsala. These wines are often aged with some oxygen exposure, which gives them a rich and nutty flavor profile, they can add wonderful complexity to soups and creamy sauces.

How to Cook with Wine

Braise 

Braising is a low and slow cooking method that yields tender delicious meats and vegetables. Braising starts by searing meat and or vegetables until they are brown, covering in liquid, and then cooking slowly using low heat.The liquid that you choose will have a big impact on the flavor of your finished dish. Common braising liquids include broth, wine, beer, and juice. 

Using wine in your braising liquid will add a complex depth to your finished product. Choose a red wine to stand up to the flavor of rich meats, or a white wine to complement delicate chicken and vegetables. 

Deglaze

Deglazing is a simple way to maximize flavor. This technique saves you effort by capitalizing on the work that you already did while you were cooking your main dish. After searing up a protein, you’ll notice some dark caramelized bits stuck to the bottom of the pan. This layer is called the fond. It might look like a stain, but it’s actually super-concentrated with flavor. Deglazing incorporates the fond back into the dish by dissolving it in a liquid like stock or wine. 

To make a pan sauce by deglazing, start with the pan over low-heat. Add a pat of butter and a glug of wine. Then simply stir until the wine is reduced, and most of the caramelization has become unstuck from the pan. Spoon this over your main dish, and any weeknight dinner will feel like a special occasion. 

Try deglazing at home with this Pinot Noir Pan Sauce recipe

Cook Time: 10-15 min

Serves 2

Ingredients: 

• Your Favorite Protein (2 Steaks, 2 Chicken Breast or Thighs, 2 Pork Chops) 
• 1 shallot, minced
• 1 cup Blue Apron Pinot Noir (Such as the 20186 Anthesis)
• 2 oz chicken stock
• 4 Tbsps butter
• Optional: ¼ tsp sherry or red wine vinegar

Method: 

1. In a medium pan (nonstick, if you have one), heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Cook your desired protein. Leaving any browned bits (or fond) in the pan, transfer to a cutting board. 
2. Add 1 teaspoon of olive oil to the pan of reserved fond. Add the minced shallot. Cook on medium-high, stirring occasionally, 1 to 2 minutes, or until slightly softened. 
3. Add the wine (carefully, as the liquid may splatter). Cook, stirring occasionally, 7 to 9 minutes, or until the liquid has reduced to about 1 to 2 tablespoons. 
4. Add the chicken stock. Cook, stirring occasionally, 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until the liquid has reduced by half. 
5. Turn off the heat. Add the butter and vinegar (if using). Stir until thoroughly combined and the butter is melted. Taste, then season with salt and pepper if desired. Enjoy!

Poach 

Poaching is a gentle technique that involves cooking a protein, vegetable, or fruit in liquid over medium heat. Poaching is done at a much lower temperature than boiling, resulting in a more tender final product.

Wine-poaching is a variation of this technique where the protein or vegetable is simmered in wine. Using wine in this application will add a pleasant fruitiness and beautiful color to your dish.

Try this method with this recipe for Red Wine-Poached Cherries

Prep Time: 10-15 minutes

Cook Time: 35 to 45 minutes

Serves: 8 to 10

Ingredients:

• 1 lb cherries
• 1/2 tsp black peppercorns
• ½-inch piece ginger
• 1 piece cheesecloth (4-inch by 4-inch)
• 1 cup water
• 1  500ml bottle of Blue Apron Red Wine or any French Syrah (we recommend Domaine du Maridet GSM of Languedoc-Roussillon)
• 1 cup sugar 
• 1 tsp red wine vinegar
• Ice cream, mascarpone cheese, whipped cream, or goat cheese (to serve)

Method:

1. Stem and pit the cherries, reserving both the stems and pits. Place the stems, pits, peppercorns, and ginger on the piece of cheesecloth. Tie tightly into a pouch (or sachet).
2. In a medium pot, combine water, wine, sugar, and sachet. Heat to a simmer, then turn down to low. Add stemmed and pitted cherries and cook 20 to 30 minutes, or until tender. 
3. Reserving the liquid, strain the poached cherries; transferto a large jar or airtight container and set aside. Return the reserved liquid to the same pot. Heat to boiling on high. Cook until the liquid has reduced by 2/3 and begins to coat the back of a spoon. Turn off the heat. Stir in the red wine vinegar. Pour the liquid over the poached cherries. Cool completely.
4. Serve the poached cherries (including any liquid) over ice cream, mascarpone, whipped cream or goat cheese. Cherries will keep stored in the jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 month. Enjoy!

The easiest way to cook with wine? Just have a glass while you prepare your meal. Get your new favorite wine delivered to your home with Blue Apron.