Red wine in beef stew
I found this recipe for a beef stew that calls for 1 cup of red wine, and 1 cup of Guinness beer. I don't like any dry red wines and I've looked all over the internet trying to find a good wine to use. I have a bottle of Duplin red wine but it's a sweet wine and was wondering if this would be okay to use, or if I should find another wine. I've read that you shouldn't use a wine to cook with if you wouldn't drink it, does this still apply here? Thanks!
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carswell
Mar 18, 2010 11:12 AM
Some producers package wines in 250-ml (1-cup) bottles. I almost always have a 250-ml bottle of Cellier des Dauphins red and white Côtes-du-Rhône in my pantry for use in cooking.
If you buy a bigger bottle, you can freeze the leftover wine for later use. Transfer it to a smaller bottle or pour it into ice cube trays.
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westsidegal
Mar 17, 2010 08:52 PM
absoiutely do NOT use a sweet wine.
second kaysyrahsyrah's rec about going to trader joes. -
kaysyrahsyrah
Mar 17, 2010 07:00 PM
No, not sweet wine. Given you don't like dry red wine, I recommend you buying a bottle of wine on sale at Safeway or Trader Joes. No more than 6 bucks. Think merlot or shiraz on the lower shelves.
There is no payback for you using a higher quality red for this situation. But be sure to 'cook off' some of the water/alcohol -- while in the oven, leave the lid off when it starts bubbling...for about 15 mins. Add more water if necessary.
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The "don't cook with it if you wouldn't drink it" axiom is uttered regarding flawed wines, not just wines one doesn't care for. For example, if a bottle has been open for a month, is it still good to use for cooking?
What to do with your leftover 17 ounces of wine, since you probably won't care for it, will probably be the bigger issue.
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SteveTimko
Mar 17, 2010 11:04 AM
Cooking it changes the flavor of the wine. No, I wouldn't use a sweeter wine. A simple cheaper bottle from Trader Joe's would probably work.
