If you’re preparing a recipe that calls for adding a dry red wine, it can feel challenging to know the best red wine to cook with. Never fear! Choosing the right dry red wine for cooking isn’t difficult if you remember a few basic rules.
Choosing a Dry Red Wine for Cooking
The first thing to remember is to never, ever buy the “cooking wine” that’s sold in grocery stores. True, they’re inexpensive, but they’re also nothing more than a blend of inferior wines and added salt that comprises a one-way ticket to a ruined dinner. What’s more, don’t use leftover wine that’s been uncorked and past its prime drinking time. The standard rule states that if you wouldn’t drink it, you shouldn’t cook with it.
When using dry red wine for cooking, it’s important to remember that as an ingredient, wine conveys all of its flavors, body, and acidity to the dish. While its subtleties may not be as pronounced,