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Savory Experiments

  • Recipe Index
  • Cooking Method
    • Air Fryer
    • Baking
    • BBQ
    • Casserole
    • Cast Iron
    • Freezer Friendly
    • Grilling
    • Instant Pot
    • Kid-Friendly
    • No-Bake
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    • Butter
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Savory Experiments

Red Wine

Red red wine, you make me feel so fine… You keep me rockin’ all of the time. Anyone else hear the lyrics to UB40’s song in their head whenever you pop open a bottle?

glass of red wine

I won’t claim to be a wine expert, but I will sure tell you I am a wine lover. I love drinking it and I also love cooking with it.

What is red wine?

Red wine is a broad umbrella for any wine coming from red grape varietals and having a red, purple or brick color. Italy, Spain and France are the largest producers of reds, but nearly every wine producing region has their own varietal and output.

Wine can be a little intimidating. Keep in mind that you only need to know a little to sound a whole lot smart, that the deliciousness factor is always in the eye of the beholder and there are no steadfast rules for pairing wine with food.

These are the 7 most popular red wines:

One. Cabernet Sauvignon

This is the most widely planted grape in the world and even though it is widely popular, every wine will taste different. It is, however, a safe bet when ordering dinner at nearly every restaurant and usually the pick for a “house red”.

Cabs are described as full bodied with dark fruity darks and someone even spices or herbs. They pair nicely with dark meat and lamb, but honestly can be served with just about anything.

This is also the safest pick for a bottle to bring as a gift.

TWO. Merlot

Merlot might be more popular in name, but is the second most planted grape and has a vast array of flavor depending on geographic location. While it can be robust in flavor, it isn’t as full bodied as a cab and is considered to be a good entry wine.

It is generally fruity and has less tannins (pucker factor). It pairs well with white meats and pasta. But again, drink what you like!

THREE. Zinfandel

Zinfandel is often associated with white zinfandel, but there is also a red zin. Again, the overall flavor profile is highly dependent on the soil and climate. It is a lighter taste and not as “flavor forward” as they say, but usually high in alcohol content.

It is good with lighter dishes and casual dishes and also to make sangria.

FOUR. Syrah/Shiraz

This grape has two names- Syrah through Europe and Shiraz in Australia and South America. It is a flavor forward wine with a bold aftertaste that will fizzle on your tongue.

It has been described as peppery and rich. It is certainly a sipping wine, not a “have several glasses” wine. It is good for a causal and social event like sharing tapas or a cheese plate.

FIVE. Malbec

Malbec is often associated with Argentina, but originated in France. Fun fact for your girls night… It has a brilliant purple color and often fruity notes likes cherries and plums making it another good pick for red sangrias.

Is it light and does well with spicy foods and also lean meats like chicken, fish or salad.

SIX. Pinot Noir

Pinot is also a good entry wine because it is a light bodied wine. It has been described as bright, silky and also fruity. It is good for wine cocktails and spritzers because it doesn’t have a heavy profile.

It pairs well with light dishes as well like pizza, fish and salad.

SEVEN. Sangiovese

The most popular grape/wine in Italy, if you visit Tuscany, you will be drinking Sangiovese. It is literally served alongside your water. It is a full-bodied wine with a lot of flavor and punch.

It is described as tannic and “sticky”, meaning that the flavors tend to sink into your tongue and stay there a bit. It is earthy and peppery.

Cooking with Wine

Any of these wines can be used to cook with, but the exact pick will depend on the dish you are preparing. Most will call for a dry red wine, opposed to “juicy”, of which a cabernet, merlot pinot noir are your best choices.

Wines should cook in the dish long enough to cook off the alcohol, but impart flavor. They are best in stewed and braised dishes or to deglaze a dish and get all the browned bits up. Recipes that use wine should very rarely actually taste like wine… unless it is my red wine cheese dip.

Cooking Wine vs. Drinking Wine

Cooking wine is a shelf stable wine that still has alcohol, but a much higher salt content. This means it doesn’t need to be refrigerated and will keep its flavor and potency for months after being opened opposed to a corked wine that is only good for about 24 hours.

You can drink it straight, I suppose, but it won’t taste very good. I do keep a bottle of these around for dishes that call for just a tablespoon or so of a particular wine in the rare case that I am not drinking. Or if I need a white wine and am drinking red that night.

Recipes that Use Red Wine:

  • Braised Boar
  • Shiitake Burgers
  • Homemade Italian Sausage 
Red Wine Chocolate Lava Cake is so easy to make at home! This molten lava cake comes out of the oven piping hot in just about 30 minutes. #lavacakerecipe #moltenlavacake #chocolatecake www.savoryexperiments.com
Chocolate Lava Cake

 

            sliced braised brisket with gravy

Slow Braised Brisket

Dinners + Entrees
            chicken marsala on a white plate

Chicken Marsala

Dinners + Entrees
            A glass filled with wine glasses

Beginners Guide to Port Wine

Travel
            pan fried steak with mushroom sauce

Mushroom Sauce for Steak

Dips, Dressings, + Sauces
            serving platter of beef tenderloin with blueberry sauce

Reverse Sear Beef Tenderloin with Blueberry Sauce + Toasted Hazelnuts

Dinners + Entrees
            Wassail Hot Toddy should be on everyone's holiday cocktail list! It's so easy to make and perfect for holiday parties, you'll be the star of the show! #howtomakeahottoddy #whatisahottoddy #hottoddyrecipes www.savoryexperiments.com

Wassail Hot Toddy

Drinks
            Bolognese Sauce is a classic, rich and hearty Italian sauce made with ground meat and coarsely chopped vegetables. Serve over pasta or in lasagna.

Bolognese Sauce

Pastas
            Homemade Red Wine Gravy Recipe is a make-ahead, rich and velvety gravy recipe without pan drippings. Perfect over turkey, chicken, mashed potatoes, or beef! #pangravy #redwinegravy www.savoryexperiments.com

Red Wine Gravy

Dips, Dressings, + Sauces
            A glass of wine sitting on top of a wooden table

Wine 101- How to Pair Wine

Drinks
            A bottle of wine glasses sitting on a table

Wine 101 – How to Read Wine

Drinks
            Cream Cheese Spread

Red Wine Cheese Spread

Dips, Dressings, + Sauces
            Red Beef Chili uses chunks of steak and simmers them to tender perfection in a chili tomato sauce. Serve over rice, noodles or as a stew. #bestchilirecipe #bobbyflay #redbeefchili www.savoryexperiments.com

Red Beef Chili

Soups
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Welcome!
Welcome!
Jessica is an author, blog coach, photographer, recipe creator and spokesperson, TV personality, globetrotter and contributor to Parade, Better Homes & Gardens, Mashed and The Daily Meal Food + Travel and more! Let her help you create restaurant quality family meals using the four S's.
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