We often overlook cooking wines, or “fortified” wine…
… such as Marsala, Madeira, and Sherry. However…
…these wines can be delightful for drinking and can enhance recipes.
Many people have trouble preserving these wines after they pop the cork…
What are the best practices for storing cooking wines?
Unopened cooking wines should be stored between 53-57 F…
…60-70% humidity, in a wine refrigerator, lying flat for 1-6 years.
Cooking wines can be stored upright with a wine stopper in the…
..kitchen refrigerator for 20-30 days once it is opened.
Fortified sweet wines can last a few days longer than more savory ones…
The fortified wines on this page are ideal for cooking. Fortified wine…
…is made stronger by adding distilled spirits to bring the alcohol level to 18% or 20%.
As long as they are refrigerated, some fortified cooking wines..
…can last up to a month. Following is a more detailed discussion of this topic.
Fortified wines used for cooking, as with all wines, will lose…
…their vibrant flavors more quickly due to exposure to light and heat.
In terms of fortified wines used for cooking, Madeira and Marsala…
…are two of the most popular options. Wines like these…
…are most commonly used in recipes. These wines should be bought…
…as they are, not as “cooking Madeira wine” or “cooking Marsala wine”….
If you are looking for best white wine for cooking…
…we have some recommendations for you.
Let’s hear Grace’s problem…
I love cooking with wine, but I only use cooking wine for special occasions…
But I don’t know how to store cooking wines properly…
I just put it in the refrigerator, but it will go bad in the next month…
So I ended up buying new one every time I need cooking wines...
Kitchen refrigerator for long-term storage of any wine is not recommended because it maintains far too cold of temperature and too low of humidity
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Here is how…
Cooking with Wine & How to Store Cooking Wine
- 4 pack of Cooking wine - A great variety of cooking wine to enhance your favorite recipe
- Contains 1 each bottle red wine, white wine, Sherry and Marsala
- Each bottle is 13.1 fluid ounc
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You need to decide what flavors and styles you want…
…to use when choosing the right wine for cooking.
The styles can be divided into six main categories…
…dry red and white, dry nutty wines, sweet nutty wines…
…sweet whites, and sweet reds.
In summary, quality is the primary factor distinguishing…
…a bottle of cooking wine from a bottle of regular wine.
Cooking wine often contains an abundance of sweeteners…
…preservatives, and salt, making your dish taste overly sweet…
…overly salty, and sometimes metallic.
Let’s examine three popular wines for cooking and their characteristics…
Madeira
- Product Type:Sauce
- Item Package Dimension:14.224 cm L X18.796 cm W X23.876 cm H
- Item Package Weight:0.885 kg
- Country Of Origin: United Sta
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If stored properly with constant temperatures of 53-57 F, 60-70% humidity…
…complete darkness, and laying flat in a wine fridge or cellar…
…unopened Madiera will last between two and six years.
There are many people who are unaware of Madeira…
or the tiny group of islands in Portugal that it is part of.
Cooking wines Madeira is not always easy to find, but don’t use it!
Madeira is a fortified white wine that comes in various grape and age classifications…
You should consider the sweetness level when buying Madeira…
Sercial (dry), Verdelho (off-dry), Bual (sweet)..
…and Malmsey (very sweet) are the types…
As mentioned later, the level of sweetness…
…will also affect how long the wine will keep…
Cooking with Madeira wine requires you to keep in mind…
…that it will reduce and become even sweeter than its original form.
It’s best to use a Sercial or Verdelho (these are the least expensive)…
…unless you’re making something super sweet, like something with a demi-glaze.
The Madeira wine is fortified with brandy. The wine is thus high in alcohol and..
…as a result, will last longer than other cooking wines.
Oxidation and heating are needed to produce wine..
…(a process called maderization after the wine).
A properly stored, unopened bottle of Madeira can last months or even years..
An opened Madeira (with a cork) will last 28-30 days in a kitchen refrigerator…
Sweeter styles will remain open for a longer time …
…either the maximum 30 days or even several days longer.
Let’s move into the next one…
Marsala
- GOURMET - Kedem Gourmet Marsala Cooking Wine for all Your Cooking Needs
- BETTER FOR YOU - Gluten Free, No Artificial Colors or Flavors Added, No Sugar Added
- VERSATILE- Will Greatly Enhance the Flavor of Your Gourmet Dishes, Perfect for all your Cooking and Baking Needs
- CERTIFIED - Certified Kosher For Year Round Use
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Marsala can be stored for 2-6 years in a wine fridge or cellar…
…at 53-57 F consistent temperatures, 60-70% humidity, and laying flat.
Marsala is an Italian cooking wines originating from Sicily…
It is available either dry or sweet…
When used in popular dishes such as chicken Marsala..
…sweet Marsala gives mushroom sauces a rich, nutty, caramelized taste.
Desserts can also be made with sweet Marsala…
Zabaglione is a classic custard sauce that is commonly served with fresh berries…
Marsala sauce is most commonly used to add depth to roasted shellfish…
…or meaty fish. Moreover, marsala is fortified with Brandy…
…making it very alcoholic. Additionally, it can last much longer..
…than regular wine, depending on how long it was aged.
Marsala will last longer (unopened) if it has been aged a long time…
…because it contains more alcohol. Marsala wine lasts longer when it is sweeter.
When kept in a cool, dry environment, unopened Marsala…
…will last months and even years.
When opened (with a cork), Marsala will last about 28-30 days in a refrigerator..
Also, the sweeter the Marsala is, the longer it will last open…
…either for 30 days or several days beyond that.
Sherry
- This product contains Natural Ingredie
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When stored at 53-57 degrees F, 60-70% humidity, complete darkness…
….and laying flat with a wine fridge or cellar, Sherry will last between…
…1 and 10 months. It should be consumed immediately.
A sherry is a wine used for cooking that is oxidized on purpose…
….to add nutty, complex flavors. The wine is produced in Southwest Spain…
…and comes in both fino (dry and light-bodied) and oloroso (dry but rich) styles.
Adding a dry sherry to savory dishes will add a great nuttiness..
…but make sure to get one you would enjoy drinking. Intentional oxidation..
…of this wine by the winemaker is important to note. The same goes for…
…oxidizing a bottle of red wine in your refrigerator to get…
…that same nuttiness for your dish.
Almost all oxidized sherry can be stored one to two months after opening…
…as long as it’s refrigerated and has a cork.
The oxidation process of fine sherry and the fact that it has a light body…
…mean that it should not be left on the shelf too long after bottling.
As a result, it should be sold and used soon after bottling….
Storing Leftover Cooking Wines in the Refrigerator
- 1.Apartment Size Fridge: This Danby apartment refrigerator is the ideal midsize fridge for your home or office
- 2.10.1 Cubic Feet (286 Liters) Capacity: The unit features a full fridge with freezer
- 3.Frost-Free Operation: Enjoy maintenance free use, this unit automatically defrosts, preventing ice buildup in the two-door fridge with freezer
- 4.Ample Storage: 2.5 adjustable glass shelves with 5 door shelves, including tall bottle storage
- 5.Seamless Fit: Reversible door for left and right swing and handle-free opening
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- MODERN ELECTRIC BEVERAGE COOLER - This 3.2 cubic feet, free standing beverage refrigerator features an elegant see through, left hinge glass front door with a stainless steel frame for you to view your wine, beer or soda at a glance. Its white LED interior light illuminates for easy, nighttime selection of your favorite chilled drink
- LARGE CAPACITY BEER & WINE CHILLER - Under counter beverage cooler with large, internal storage design is equipped with 3 adjustable and removable chrome shelves. Drinks organizer conveniently holds up to 120 standard sized soda or beer cans, or several bottles of wine
- ADVANCED TEMPERATURE CONTROLS - Single zone beverage mini refrigerator has an easy touch temperature control that cools down to 34°F, and large digital display for quick monitoring and setting of any temperature. Its memory function automatically restores the preset temperature of the cooler in case it becomes unplugged, or in the event of a power outage
- POWERFUL COOLING SYSTEM - Our 120V 240W heavy duty, vertical chiller features energy efficient advanced technology, and a whisper quiet compressor that works with a small convection fan to cool quickly, and keep consistent air circulation for a uniform temperature supply inside. Perfect for an office, dorm, apartment, RV, restaurant, home kitchen and more
- AUTO DEFROSTING FUNCTION - Beverage cooler is also designed with an additional temperature sensor for auto defrost mode. External size: 18.9” W (front across) x 33.3” H (top to bottom) x 17.30” D (front to back). Internal size: 16” W x 29” H x 12” D. NOTE: Images show EXTERNAL Dimensions rounded UP to nearest decimal. Warning: Do not use this cooler to store fresh foods, such as meats, vegetables, fruits, etc. This product can only be used to chill beverag
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Cooking with the same wine you’ll serve with your meal is a terrific way…
…to get the most out of it – as long as the recipe doesn’t require the entire bottle.
Sipping a bottle of Italian Chianti while making a tomato sauce, for example…
…accomplishes the same thing for the palate as it does for the meal…
…it cuts through the acidity. After you’ve opened the bottle…
…keep the remaining wine in the fridge for up to four days…
It will oxidize otherwise (go bad). If you cook with the wine after it has gone bad…
…the negative aspects of oxidation will also make their way into your food.
In the same way that they would be ingested if you tried to drink it…
…these musty tastes will be imparted into the dish. When a wine has gone bad..
…people often mistakenly think cooking with it is a good way to use it up.
Proper Storage for Fortified Wines Used for Cooking
- 166 standard 750ml wine bottle capacity or 161 bottles (with display shelf) capacity; Built-In / Freestanding Installation; Reversible door swing
- Adjustable thermostat (40ºF - 65ºF / 5ºC - 18ºC); Powerful compressor cooling; Internal fan-forced circulation for even temperature distribution throughout the cabinet; Environmentally friendly refrigerant
- Activated carbon filter ensures optimum air quality; Cylinder lock and two keys; Interior lighting strip with 9 energy-efficient LED soft white light bulbs; Fahrenheit and Celsius temperature display
- 16 removable wire wooden faced flat slide out shelves; Display shelf to store up to 6 bottles at an incline for showcasing or open bottles; Tempered double-pane gray-smoked glass for enhanced UV protection
- Product dimensions: 69″H x 23.5″W x 26.75″D (28.5″ D with handle installed); For dual temperature zone version, please see model BWR-164
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- Keep your refrigerator, freezer, pantry, cabinet or countertops neatly organized with these fridges Wine organizer storage bins
- Ideal storage for wine, champagne, liquor or large drink bottles, can be used for fridge, freezer, kitchen countertops, tables, and pantries
- Each bin Holds up to 1 wine bottle or bottled beverage and measures 3.8 x 8 x 4
- Made of durable high quality 100% food safe BPA free shatter-resistant plastic
- Practical Stackable design to help maximize your space, clean with warm soapy water. Do not place in dishwas
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- WINE RACK STAND (10-TIER, 100 BOTTLE) — Showcase, organize, and store wine bottles — Ideal for both new wine collectors and expert connoisseurs
- STYLISH ACCENT — Attractive wine rack display storage for home bar, kitchen, dining room, basement, wine cellar, restaurant, etc— Fits wide variety of décor — Makes a great gift
- LARGE CAPACITY — Holds bottles on each shelf tier to maximize space — Stores each bottle horizontally to keep wine fresh longer until you’re ready to drink — Great for entertaining large gatherings, dinner parties, wine tastings, special occasions, holidays, and business events — Easy way to store or start wine collection
- EASY TO ASSEMBLE — Minimal assembly required — Step-by-step Instructions and Hardware INCLUDED — Place anywhere on floor with little effort to use as freestanding wine rack — Also mounts to the wall for added stability through 6 holes on the connector brackets
- STURDY DESIGN — Made of sturdy metal construction with smooth black finish — Features rows of scallop/wave shaped shelves — Solid structure prevents wobbling, tilting, or falling — Holds most standard wine bottles — Wine Bottles NOT INCLUDED — Measures approximately 37.75”L x 7.75”W x 39.50”H (Approx 3.75” between each tie
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Fortified wine is wine that has been infused with alcoho..
As soon as the alcohol is added, the yeast stops converting sugar to alcohol…
…and all of the remaining grape sugar is left in the wine as residual sugar.
The neutral grape spirits (alcohol) are added within the first day…
…of fermentation if a sweeter fortified wine is desired.
The fermentation process would be allowed to run its course…
…if a dry fortified wine is desired. Most cooking wines…
…do not contain any flavoring agents.
Aging Cooking Wines
In addition to the aging process, there is another factor that affects…
…how long these wines should be stored. Depending on the cooking wines…
…the aging time will differ. In general, the cheaper the wine…
…the less time it has spent aging in oak.
Marsala and Madeira are both high in alcohol, as mentioned above…
The extent to which they are high in alcohol is directly proportional…
…to the length of time they have spent aging. The best aging will occur…
…on Marsala wines and Madeira wines when stored in proper conditions…
…for two to six years. On the other hand, sherry is meant…
….to be consumed shortly after bottling.
Ideally, it should be consumed or cooked within one year of purchase…
Cooking Wines Storage Concepts
We have learned that cooking wines commonly…
…used for cooking differ in style and quality. Due to this…
…it is important to check the recommendations for the specific type you are using.
Nevertheless, there are some guidelines to follow…
…when deciding how to store your cooking wines.
Marsala and Madiera bottles can be stored in a dark, cool area…
Stored under these conditions, they should last several months and even years…
Due to their fortification, white and red wine used for cooking…
…are treated the same in terms of how long they should be stored.
With very few exceptions, you can think of storing cooking wines somewhere…
…between that of wine and liquor. (Remember, the longer the wine…
…can be stored the higher its alcohol content).
Even if a bottle of scotch doesn’t go bad, it’s true that it can sit on a shelf for years…
…but almost any distilled spirit that has been opened…
…will lose its flavor and character after a few months.
To err on the side of caution, it is best to drink fortified wines…
…as soon as possible after they have been opened.
Bottles can be stored upright in the refrigerator with a cork…
…for 28-30 days, if you want to store them.
Sum Up
In order to understand the best way to store the fortified wines for cooking…
…first you must understand how they’re made.
Even though many people confuse them with liquor…
…fortified wines or cooking wines are not distilled.
Conclusion
Hope this articles will help you to store cooking wines properly…
Leave a comment, or feel free to contact us..
…if you have more questions about how to store cooking wines!
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.
