You can make your meals sing when you cook with wine….
… no matter if you’re a seasoned home chef or just starting out.
With that in mind….
We’ve created a guide to help you select the best white wine for cooking…
…including the dos and don’ts of selecting a bottle.
Additionally, you’ll learn what types of white wines…
…are best for different types of dishes. Let’s get started.
First, let’s hear Ann’s story…
For dishes that call for ‘dry’ white wines within the recipe, look for wines (both white and red) that are known to have crisp acidity and moderate alcohol. He recommends avoiding richer, full-bodied wines and oak-aged wines (e.g., oaked Chardonnay) because they have a tendency to overpower the food.
Devon Broglie , global beverage buyer at Whole Foods Market,
Let’s talk about this first….
Are All Wines Suitable for Cooking?
The answer to that question is technically yes…
However, in reality, not so much. In other words…
….cooking wine means two different things.
As long as you add wine to your cooking in order to enhance your food…
…whether it be white wine, red wine, or rosé wine…
…then it can be considered cooking wine.
Adding these to your recipes can be a great addition….
On the other hand, there are wines that are specifically labeled as “cooking wines.”…
While these products contain alcohol, they are not meant for drinking….
These are typically made with a lot of salt and preservatives to…
..improve their shelf life. This is not the type of cooking wine you should use….
The old real estate mantra “location, location, location” isn’t just relevant to real estate…
If you’re looking for wine in the grocery store to use in your next recipe…
…pay attention to where it’s located. If it’s on the shelf next to salad dressings…
….and white wine vinegar, rather than next to other wines..
…it’s a “cooking wine” that you should avoid.
The Do’s and Don’ts of White Wine for Cooking
You can always drink a bottle of white Two-Buck Chuck…
…but we’d like to encourage you to treat yourself – and your food…
…to something a little more elevated than bottom-of-the-barrel cheap drinks.
However, you don’t have to break the bank to do it…
The cost of a good bottle of white wine for cooking is in the $10-$20 range….
…and usually less than $15. Choosing a wine that you enjoy on its own…
…is a good rule of thumb. So if a recipe calls for a small amount of wine…
…(most recipes call for one cup or less), you can enjoy sipping it…
….while you cook as well as with your meal.
Here’s a quick checklist of what to do (and not do) when cooking with wine:
- Use a dry wine with high acidity and bright citrus notes: Unless you’re making dessert, don’t use sweet wines. (They’ll only intensify the sweet factor.) A crisp white wine with light fruit flavors, particularly citrus, will enhance savory dishes.
- Stick to low-alcohol white wines (under 12.5% ABV) if you want to avoid overwhelming your dish with an alcoholic taste.
- Avoid oaky whites: You want to avoid bold, buttery, oaky wines (think oaked Chardonnays) since they can overpower the dish and make it bitter.
- If you’re going to cook with white wine, don’t opt for an expensive bottle. In addition to burning off much of the alcohol, the heat also destroys any nuances that a fancier wine might have. You should save your money for bottles you intend to sip and savor on their own.
Here we go…
Best White Wines for Cooking
White wines are perfect for cooking lighter dishes such as poultry…
…pork, seafood, and vegetables. Listed below are some specific types…
…of white wine and the dishes they pair best with.
Sauvignon Blanc
- Makes 6 gallons
- Great tasting wine
- Durable packaging to insure safe delivery
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First white wine for cooking is Sauvignon blanc…
You can’t go wrong with Sauvignon Blanc…
…when it comes to cooking with white wine.
Its pronounced acidity and herbal flavors…
…are sure to add depth and zest to everything…
…from delicious Italian risotto to steamed mussels with garlic toast.
Pinot Grigio
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Thw next white wine for cooking is Pinot Noir…
Known for its crisp and refreshing flavor…
…this white counterpart to Pinot Noir pairs well with a wide range of dishes.
You can use it to brighten up veggie-centric meals…
…such as vegan cauliflower scampi in lemon garlic white…
…wine sauce or light pasta dishes.
Chardonnay
- Product Type:Wine
- Item Package Dimension:16.306 cm L X16.408 cm W X37.388 cm H
- Item Package Weight:1.47 kg
- Country Of Origin: Germ
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The next white wine for cooking is Chardonnay…
As mentioned, if you’re buying Chardonnay…
…go for unoaked types that will cook down smoothly…
…without becoming too bitter. The non-oaky version will temper acidity…
…and enhance the rich flavors of cream sauces…
….such as this tarragon chicken with Chardonnay cream sauce.
Dry Vermouth
- ENJOY THE PERFECT DIRTY MARTINI AT HOME: Our Martini Mix will ensure you get the perfect cocktail-bar-quality drink, every time. Combine with vodka, or gin and dry vermouth, shake or stir, then strain into a glass with ice. It’s the simplest way to make your favorite cocktail drinks at home.
- PREMIUM INGREDIENTS: We use real olive brine in our dirty martini juice. Ingredients are always sorted, measured, and inspected, by hand, to ensure only the best quality ingredients make it into every batch.
- MAKE YOUR MARTINI STAND OUT: Barrel Roll Bar Essentials olive brine is the easiest way to add something special to your dirty martini. Our drink mix has a powerful olive kick that’ll liven up your drink and impress your guests. The essential cocktail mixer you need in your drink’s cabinet!
- REAL OLIVE BRINE: Our dirty martini juice contains real Kalamata olive brine which gives the mixer its unique purple color! Carefully measured and monitored to maintain quality, every bottle is brimming with an authentic olive flavor.
- EASILY RECREATE YOUR FAVORITE DRINK: You really can’t go wrong with our olive juice. Our recipes have been designed to ensure you can enjoy the perfect drink, every time, with minimal fuss. Simply pour, stir and enjoy! (An olive garnish from our sister company Green Jay Gourmet is an optional, yet recommended, finishing touc
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The last best white wine for cooking is Dry Vermouth…
There are always exceptions to the rule when it comes to…
…cooking with high-alcohol wines like fortified wines.
White dry vermouth is a good example. This aromatic…
…slightly bitter option goes great with light proteins like shellfish…
…chicken, and roasted pork loin with elephant garlic.
Due to that fortification, Vermouth stays fresh for a long time!
Last one…
Dry Riesling
- Washington Riesling (world vineyard)
- Sweetness: off-dry | body: medium | oak intensity: none
- Makes 6 gall
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- California Riesling Wine
- White Wine
- Makes 6 Gall
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Next one in white wine for cooking is Dry Riesling…
If you’re planning to cook with a Riesling…
…you may want to consider a dry option instead.
Several of the most well-known varieties are late harvests…
…(meaning the grapes were picked later and are therefore sweeter).
Acidity adds a zesty counterpoint to creamy chicken…
…and won’t overpower seafood dishes.
If you are looking for other options of best white wine for cooking…
…we have some recommendations.
Let’s move on…
White Wine For Cooking
Cooking with wine can be just as enjoyable as drinking it straight…
Despite the fact that not every “cooking wine” is the same, a dry…
…crisp white wine brings an extra level of taste and elegance to an everyday dish.
There are plenty of white wines for you to enjoy in the kitchen…
…from Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio to Riesling and sparkling wines.
What are you waiting for? It’s time to start cooking….
You might also love these!
- Upgraded 1 Gallon Wine From Fruit Kit
- Just add your favorite fruit
- Instructions and recipe book included
- Includes mini auto-sip
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- SAVE YOUR WINE: Set of two bottle stoppers provide an air-tight seal to preserve opened bottles of wine and other beverages.
- AT HOME: Fits most wine bottle sizes; bottle stoppers are perfect for sealing wine, soda, oil and vinegar bottles.
- GIFT IDEA: Send along with a bottle of wine for a great wine connoisseur gift.
- HIGH QUALITY: Made of food-grade silicone and stainless steel that wont change the flavor of your wine or beverage.
- EASY TO CLEAN: Dishwasher-s
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- THE PERFECT SOLUTION: Whether you’re looking for a unique set of wine glasses to complete your home bar, or you want to surprise a wine lover with a thoughtful gift, the Layla white wine glasses are exactly what you need!
- FINEST QUALITY MATERIALS: These wine glasses are proudly made in the Czech Republic from premium quality, highly durable crystal, being 100% safe and guaranteed to withstand the test of time. The material is easy to wash, dishwasher safe and will preserve its gorgeous shine!
- EXQUISITE DESIGN: This wine glasses set of 4 was designed having in mind elegance and simplicity. With beautiful glass cut, perfectly uniform rims and sophisticated lines, these crystal glasses will certainly impress anyone!
- HIGHLY VERSATILE: Add these durable wine glasses to your permanent collection, for your home bar, at special events, for restaurants, hotels or other locals and make sure your guests or customers enjoy a complete wine tasting experience!
- ERGONOMIC & PRACTICAL: Unlike similar products on the market, this set of 4 wine glasses provides a comfortable user experience, having an ergonomic stout bulb shape and wide rims, allowing the wine to properly breat
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Tips for Cooking with White Wine
You can reduce the wine in cream sauces by half after cooking it separately…
The cream should then be added after the sauce has been reduced…
A half cup to a cup and a half of wine is usually called for in most recipes…
To deglaze the pan after sautéing vegetables…
…splash a few tablespoons of wine into it.
To steam or poach shellfish (mussels, clams, oysters), add wine to the broth…
Add a few tablespoons of wine to marinades to help tenderize the meat…
…and caramelize it during cooking.
The longer you cook the wine, the less alcohol will remain in the dish…
…Alcohol can be completely removed from food after simmering for two
…and a half hours. Drinkable white wine can be kept refrigerated…
…for up to a week and can be used in cooking for up to two weeks
Here more tips for you…
Celine Beitchman, director of nutrition at the Institute of Culinary Education…
…recommends a light- to medium-bodied white wine for cooking.
“Unless you’re making a sweet dish, go for a low-alcohol wine…
…with some acidity and a hint of fruit.”
Her two suggestions? Pinot grigio from Italy or sauvignon blanc…
…from just about anywhere except for Australia or New Zealand…
…with their tropical fruit flavors. A citrusy dish with a lot of bright acidity…
…will liven things up. If you are going for a sweet dish, try a Riesling…
…recommends Carlos Calderon, brand chef at North Italia.
To balance out the sweetness, try a dry Chardonnay…
…just make sure it’s unoaked. Pick a wine with low to moderate alcohol…
The presence of wine in a recipe is usually used to replace an acid…
…adding a subtle flavor. A booze bomb will make everything taste like alcohol….
Think: What grows together goes together…
Learn about where the wine comes from…
…and what foods grow in the region it comes from.
No matter if you’re eating and drinking them or preparing them together…
…those flavors go together naturally.”
Don’t cook with anything you wouldn’t drink…
Broglie recommends purchasing the wines in the wine department…
…of a grocery store or liquor store rather than from the regular grocery aisle…
…because cooking wine usually has a lot of added salt.
That doesn’t mean you have to spend 100 dollars…
…on a bottle just for your braised chicken.
What If I Don’t Want to Use Alcohol?
In addition to alcohol-free options…
…there are also a number of options that still lend flavor to your food.
Verjus, the juice pressed from unripened grapes…
…is something that almost resembles wine.
A good chicken or vegetable stock, enhanced with a dash of lemon or vinegar…
…is a great alternative that you probably already have on hand.
Sum Up
You can add delicious flavor to your meals when you cook with white wine…
Who doesn’t love seafood pasta in a white wine sauce…
…or a generous helping of creamy risotto?
White wine may be irritatingly vague in recipes that call for it..
A wide variety of white wines are available…
Would it not be better if we had a little more guidance…
…on how we should go about choosing?
Conclusion
There are so many white wine for cooking options you can choose..
Which white wine for cooking do you think is the best?
Share your experience with white wine for cooking with us…
…or if you have more questions about white wine for cooking..
…feel free to leave a comment!
Hi there! I’m a food enthusiast and journalist, and I have a real passion for food that goes beyond the kitchen. I love my dream job and I’m lucky enough to be able to share my knowledge with readers of several large media outlets. My specialty is writing engaging food-related content, and I take pride in being able to connect with my audience. I’m known for my creativity in the kitchen, and I’m confident that I can be the perfect guide for anyone looking to take their culinary journey to the next level.
