If a recipe calls for "red wine" but doesn't specify the type...

[Papa Deuce]

what would you use?

I don't drink wine at all, and rarely cook with it, so I am at a loss here...

 

[java]

What are you making?

Red wine can be either a Bordeaux or a Burgandy generally.
If you tell me what you're making maybe I can help with which one although either would probably be fine.

 

[JessicaR]

I cook with what I drink mostly. Don't use cooking wines, yuck. Whay type of red I use depends greatly on what I am cooking. What ya making?

This may be helpful!
http://www.wineintro.com/food/recipes/cookingwine.html

 

[Zandy595]

I know everyone always says not to buy those cooking wines and to only cook with what you would drink, but I don't like to drink wine. However, I do cook with it once in a while. I can't see buying a big bottle of wine just to use a 1/3 of a cup to put in my risotto. IMO, if you're not using very much in the recipe and you won't be drinking it, cooking wine is just fine.

 

[3boymthr]

I buy regular wine, not "cooking wine" which doesn't have any alcohol in it so it does affect the flavor.

But... since I don't drink it, I buy the cheapest bottle of wine I can find - and I don't pay attention to type. I figure if I can't taste the difference between a $40 bottle of burgundy wine and a $5 bottle of burgundy wine when I'm drinking it out of a glass, how can I tell the difference between them and or a bordeaux or... when I'm eating it in a recipe that mixes it with other ingredients.

 

[Zandy595]

I buy regular wine, not "cooking wine" which doesn't have any alcohol in it so it does affect the flavor.

But... since I don't drink it, I buy the cheapest bottle of wine I can find - and I don't pay attention to type. I figure if I can't taste the difference between a $40 bottle of burgundy wine and a $5 bottle of burgundy wine when I'm drinking it out of a glass, how can I tell the difference between them and or a bordeaux or... when I'm eating it in a recipe that mixes it with other ingredients.

Your post made me curious, so I went to look at the cooking wine I just bought. It says, "Alcohol: 12% by volume". I don't think I've ever bought cooking wine that didn't contain alcohol.

 

[Papa Deuce]

What are you making?

Red wine can be either a Bordeaux or a Burgandy generally.
If you tell me what you're making maybe I can help with which one although either would probably be fine.

Prime rib.

 

[java]

Ah Prime rib is forgiving. Any red wine that you would drink - or I should say I would drink-

You can use a cheapo jug Carlo Rossi Burgundy. I keep that on hand to cook with. And I have used it with my prime rib.

 

[Shugardrawers]

NEVER BUY COOKING WINE! IT'S CRAP!!!

The alcohol is evaporated during the cooking process and only a slight taste remains. You can get many decent tasting cheap wines MUCH less expensive that cooking wines. Cooking wines are the scraping from what was left over after they made the drinkable stuff

Look for a brand called Barefoot. Very inexpensive but has won many awards. Choose a Burgundy, Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon, all excellent for flavoring a beef dish. You won't go wrong. You might try a taste as well (if you drink that is) you might find it suprisingly good. It should be $5 to $8 per bottle.

 

[pixiewings71]

For beef, I think I'd go with a Merlot or a Cab. I'm not a red drinker but Barefoot makes my favorites so I would definitely go with them. They are about $5 a bottle.....also I was at Wal Mart over the weekend and they had some wine for $1.97 a bottle....I bought a couple to try but haven't opened them yet. If you're just using it for cooking I would go with one of their reds.

 

[sbell111]

I know everyone always says not to buy those cooking wines and to only cook with what you would drink, but I don't like to drink wine. However, I do cook with it once in a while. I can't see buying a big bottle of wine just to use a 1/3 of a cup to put in my risotto. IMO, if you're not using very much in the recipe and you won't be drinking it, cooking wine is just fine.

You need not choose between wasting a bottle of wine and using gross cooking wine. 187 ml bottles of wine are sold pretty much all over. 187 ml is a bit over 3/4 of a cup. You can also buy the 'half-bottle' 375ml bottles. These work out to be a bit over 1.5 cups.

 

[Papa Deuce]

But not "port", right.... I have a bottle of that open in the fridge... Not sure why / how it got there...

 

[Briarmom]

But not "port", right.... I have a bottle of that open in the fridge... Not sure why / how it got there...

No, that is for dessert.

I second the Barefoot suggestion. Cab Sauv would be just fine. I used a Bordeaux in cooking this weekend.

 

[Ciao Mickey]

what would you use?

I don't drink wine at all, and rarely cook with it, so I am at a loss here...

I would use a merlot.

It dosen't have to be expensive, but it would be something I would drink.

You should not use a cabernet, it is too "woody" for cooking.

 

[merekc]

I think (if my memory is correct) that cooking wines are also very high in sodium compared to using regular wine.

Often I use Sherry when a recipe calls for red wine basically because I'm not a huge wine drinker (especially not red) and Sherry has a bit more bite that I prefer.

When I cook prime rib I actually use half Sherry, half beef broth to make my au jus. Yuuummm.

Someone mentioned Barefoot wine as an inexpensive option, I have only tried their Moscato (sweet white) but it is really good for a $7 bottle of wine.

 

[Papa Deuce]

I think (if my memory is correct) that cooking wines are also very high in sodium compared to using regular wine.

Often I use Sherry when a recipe calls for red wine basically because I'm not a huge wine drinker (especially not red) and Sherry has a bit more bite that I prefer.

When I cook prime rib I actually use half Sherry, half beef broth to make my au jus. Yuuummm.

Someone mentioned Barefoot wine as an inexpensive option, I have only tried their Moscato (sweet white) but it is really good for a $7 bottle of wine.

Yep... this recipe uses half "red wine" and half beef broth.

 

[ShellsShirts]

Look for a brand called Barefoot. Very inexpensive but has won many awards. Choose a Burgundy, Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon, all excellent for flavoring a beef dish. You won't go wrong. You might try a taste as well (if you drink that is) you might find it suprisingly good. It should be $5 to $8 per bottle.

Yes, Barefoot makes good inexpensive wine.

 

[camlace]

You can also make wine "ice" cubes with the leftover wine. That way next time you are cooking and need a little wine for the recipe, just grab a couple of cubes from the freezer rather than opening a new bottle.

 

[shortbun]

2008 merlot, california, cheapest you can find. serve the rest w/your dinner

 

[okeydokey]

NEVER BUY COOKING WINE! IT'S CRAP!!!

The alcohol is evaporated during the cooking process and only a slight taste remains. You can get many decent tasting cheap wines MUCH less expensive that cooking wines. Cooking wines are the scraping from what was left over after they made the drinkable stuff

Look for a brand called Barefoot. Very inexpensive but has won many awards. Choose a Burgundy, Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon, all excellent for flavoring a beef dish. You won't go wrong. You might try a taste as well (if you drink that is) you might find it suprisingly good. It should be $5 to $8 per bottle.

I like Barefoot too, and it comes in a 4pack of small bottles, so if it is just for cooking you will have no waste.