How to choose the best red wines for cooking
Not all red wines are equal when met with fire.
The cardinal rule followed by chefs the world over is: “If you wouldn’t drink the wine, you shouldn’t cook with it.” This rule effectively eliminates cheap ‘cooking wine’ from your ingredients list, but that doesn’t mean you should raid your cellar for a bottle of red that’s been happily ageing for years either.
When it comes to cooking, your safest bet is to choose a mid-priced, medium-bodied red wine with moderate tannins, like a Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot or Pinot Noir. Using a red wine that is too big, full-bodied and tannic, like Shiraz, may turn ‘chalky’ and astringent while cooking and ruin the flavour of your dish.
What red wines are good for cooking?
Best red wine for cooking beef - Merlot
Red wine and beef are a match made in heaven. While most medium-dry red wine varietals work well in beef dishes; a Merlot, with its medium tannins and moderate body is an excellent choice. Try it in rich, hearty beef dishes like a stew, braised beef short ribs, or a mid-week spaghetti bolognese.
We recommend you try:2020 McGuigan Cellar Select Limestone Coast Merlot
Best red wine for cooking lamb - Cabernet Sauvignon
As far as ultimate pairings go, drinking a rich and bold Cabernet Sauvignon alongside a delicious lamb dish is about as good as it gets. So using a Cab Sav as an ingredient to cook lamb and amp up the flavours is a no-brainer. The soft, velvety tannins in the wine will mellow with more cooking time and the high acidity will help to tenderise the meat. Use it in slow-cooked lamb shanks, a traditional Greek Moussaka, or to create a thick and sticky pan reduction to pour over grilled lamb cutlets.
We recommend you try: 2019 McGuigan Personal Reserve Langhorne Creek Cabernet Sauvignon
Best red wine for cooking chicken - Pinot Noir
White wine is generally the go-to for cooking chicken and seafood because of its lighter, brighter flavours and low tannin content. However, a soft and light-bodied Pinot Noir can be a great choice for cooking chicken as its delicate characters won’t overpower the final dish. Using our alcohol-free Zero Pinot Noir is particularly good for preserving gentle flavours as you don’t have to ‘burn off’ the alcohol at high heat as you would with regular wine, you can just simmer on low to medium heat. Try it in a herby dish with chicken and mushrooms or a traditional French coq au vin.
We recommend you try: 2022 McGuigan Single Batch Pinot Noir
FAQs
When it comes to cooking, your safest bet is to choose a mid-priced, medium-bodied red wine with moderate tannins, like a Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot or Pinot Noir. Using a red wine that is too big, full-bodied and tannic, like Shiraz, may turn 'chalky' and astringent while cooking and ruin the flavour of your dish.
What's the best red wine to use for cooking? ›
Best Red Wine To Cook With
In general, if your recipe calls for dry red wine, you can feel confident adding a Merlot, Pinot Noir, or Cabernet Sauvignon to your dish. A Zinfandel or Shiraz will work nicely for hearty dishes, such as ribs, lamb, or roast beef.
Is Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot better for cooking? ›
Here's an easy red wine style guide to stick to while you're shopping: If you're cooking beef, lamb or stew, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir are your friends. If you're cooking chicken, duck or pork, go with Merlot.
What is the best red wine for cooking spaghetti sauce? ›
The best red wines to use when cooking pasta sauce are Cabernets, Chianti, Merlot and Pinot Noir. Chianti is an Italian origin wine, created using Sangiovese grapes. It's affordable, and ranges in a wide variety of flavor notes like mushroom, tobacco, and cherry.
What is the best red wine to cook spaghetti bolognese? ›
Bolognese Sauce Ingredients
Olive Oil– High quality goes a long way! Red Wine– Chianti, Pinot Pior, Merlot are great in Bolognese sauce.
When a recipe calls for red wine what should I use? ›
If you're seeking a substitute for red wine, consider replacing one-for-one with:
- Alcohol-free red wine.
- Beef broth.
- Chicken broth.
- Red wine vinegar (use ½ vinegar and ½ water for similar flavor results)
- Cranberry juice*
- Pomegranate juice*
As wine cooks, its flavor becomes concentrated, so it also lends savoriness or sweetness to a dish. Generally, dry red and white wines are recommended for savory dishes. Whether cooking with red or white wine, avoid oaky wines (like Cabernet Sauvignon or Chardonnay), as these become bitter when cooked.
What cooking red wine is best for Ragu? ›
For heartier meat-based dishes, such as a ragu or Bolognese, consider red wines with more robust tannins like a Sangiovese or a Cabernet Sauvignon to complement the richness of the meat.
What is a good red wine for tomato pasta? ›
Red wine and pasta pairing
Cabernet Sauvignon is best paired with pasta featuring red tomato-based sauces to complement the wine's rich hearty flavor. Chianti dry red wine is best known for having a bold taste and color. Chianti Classico wines pair perfectly with red tomato-based sauces.
What is the best wine for red wine sauce? ›
If you're making a red wine reduction sauce, some of the best choices are Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Chianti, or Barbera.
If you want to make this dish yourself we recommend a full bodied red wine, such as Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, to give the dish a rich and delectable flavour. Now you know the perfect bottle of wine to accompany your Italian cooking, you can have a go at home yourself!
What is the best red wine to cook beef in? ›
Best red wine for cooking beef - Merlot
Red wine and beef are a match made in heaven. While most medium-dry red wine varietals work well in beef dishes; a Merlot, with its medium tannins and moderate body is an excellent choice.
What is a good red wine for stew? ›
Best dry red wine for cooking beef stew or a wine-based sauce: Pinot Noir, Merlot, or Cabernet Sauvignon. Note that more fruit-forward wines will become fruitier as they reduce. For sauces that could use a little sweetness, like something paired with mushrooms, this can be excellent.
What is the best dry wine for cooking? ›
Pinot Grigio, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Blanc, and dry sparkling wines labeled "brut" are especially good choices. Fuller whites with strong, oaky flavors, like some Chardonnays, don't work as well for cooking because they are lower in acidity and don't provide as much punch as the crisper wines.
What red wine for cooking game? ›
Pinot Noir is the go-to for complementing the rich and gamey flavour of venison, although medium-bodied reds such as Côtes du Rhône and Chianti are good alternatives when roasting. You can also add a splash of red wine when cooking some darker white meats, including duck, goose, pigeon and pheasant.
How do I choose red wine for dinner? ›
The key is to pair your wine with the dominate flavor, texture, or intensity of the dish. An example of pairing intensity is a dish featuring the acidity of fresh tomatoes stewed into an Italian red sauce served with a sangiovese – an acidic Italian red. This is also a great illustration of a regional pairing.
