A dash of wine is one of the best ways to elevate any meal. Offering a whole new dimension of flavours and aromas, the best red wines for cooking breathe new life into all kinds of meat or vegetable-based dishes.
The trick, of course, is to ensure you’re cooking with wine properly. Which means knowing the correct wine for each dish, how, when and how much to add in.
Ciaran McErlean, Wine Expert at Wine Utopia, says: "When cooking with red wine, it's important to simmer the wine for 15-20 seconds on a high heat in order to burn off excess alcohol. This is best achieved when added at the end of onions or garlic being sauteed as the base for the dish. As ingredients are then added, more alcohol will be burned off and your ingredients (meat/veg) will absorb the flavours of the wine and enhance the overall profile of the dish”.
What should you look for in a red wine for cooking?
"Don't go crazy on quality or price when cooking with wine” suggests McErlean. “Although we all like a glass to enjoy when cooking, so don't skimp too much! Not all wine has the same compound make-up (some more tannic or acidic than others), so think about possibly matching key varietals with some dishes, for example Cabernet Sauvignon with beef, Merlot with chicken or duck or a vegetarian dish. Just remember not all wines are actually vegetarian!”
“I would always recommend a Cabernet Sauvignon when cooking with red wine - something that’s not too expensive” says Michael Carr, Michelin-star Executive Chef of The Old Vol. “A Cab Sav has a super high content of tannings and skin contacts, adding a real acidity to your dishes or sauces once cooked down. I’d recommend even the house wines from M&S or Waitrose which have a decent enough quality with a lower price point.”
Why should you cook with wine?
The Wine Utopia expert breaks it down for us. "Heating a wine makes it imbalanced as the alcohol is stripped, so it's really the remaining structure (tannins) and concentration of fruit that is important and that will embed into the recipe. Try not to "overcook" wine by boiling it for too long as this could give a tart aftertaste."
Carr adds: "I personally love cooking with wine, it’s just such a lovely product to cook with adding a different richness and body to whatever you’re trying to cook. Red wine is perfect for elevating gravy for that perfect sunday roast and is also a fantastic ingredient for any slow-cooked dishes such as a beef bourguignon or cassoulet (perfect for the winter weather!).
"For the perfect gravy once you’ve sautéed down your celery, carrots and onion, make sure you deglaze the pan with your red wine and reduce down before adding your meat juices”.
We’ve rounded up all of the best red wines for cooking.
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Casillero del Diablo Cabernet Sauvignon
Casillero del Diablo’s Cabernet Sauvignon is arguably one of the most popular Cabernet Sauvignons and, with its affordable price and rich notes, is a great choice for drinking or cooking with.
Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most versatile red wines for cooking and is widely available at all kinds of supermarkets or wine stores. It also goes well with a huge variety of dishes. This particular bottle is famed for its cassis and black cherry flavours, complemented by hints of coffee and dark chocolate.
Buy now £8.00, Ocado
Hacienda Zorita Tempranillo Arribes del Duero
Tempranillo has plenty of flavour, so you’ll want to pair it with strongly flavoured dishes that balance the wine’s notes without overpowering it entirely. This Hacienda Zorita Tempranillo Arribes del Duero is a great choice for Spanish or Mexican inspired dishes, as its intense red notes and subtle spiciness add a whole new level to your favourite dishes.
The subtle use of oak combines well with the soft ripe tannins of this wine - you’ll probably want to reserve at least one glass for drinking, too.
Buy now £7.50, Ocado
M&S Pheasant Gully Pinot Noir
If you’re cooking a dish with delicate flavours, you’ll want a subtle red wine that doesn’t overpower it. Enter: M&S’ Pheasant Gully Pinot Noir. This relaxed red wine provides just the right amount of flavour to add a dash of intrigue to your dish without stealing the show.
A soft and easy Pinot Noir from Australia with scents of cherries, ripe raspberries and herbs, this supple and fruity red is light bodied enough to add a little extra interest to meat dishes in particular.
Buy now £7.25, Ocado
Yellow Tail Shiraz
If you’re cooking on a budget but still want to add some complexity to your cooking, Yellow Tail Shiraz provides all the answers. Shiraz is heavier on the tannins than other red wines, which means it can leave a little bitterness after the alcohol cooks off.
But, pair it with rich, meaty dishes like bolognaise or a thick pasta sauce and you’ll be left with a beautiful, intense finish. The best part? This budget friendly red wine can be found in practically all supermarkets and won’t usually set you back more than a few pounds.
Buy now £2.65, Amazon
Beronia Rioja Crianza
Rioja particularly shines with meaty dishes like meatballs or rotisserie chicken, when its complex flavours soak right up during the cooking process. This Beronia Rioja Crianza is a Spanish wine that shines in all kinds of meat-based recipes where its red berry fruits and sweet baking spices contrasting against threads of rosemary and thyme, which bring freshness and balance.
If you’re cooking a herby dish, this is a great wine for accentuating those particular characteristics subtly.
Buy now £8.99, Amazon
Morrisons Merlot
Merlot is a silky red wine and is fruit-forward with low tannins, making it versatile to pair with all kinds of dishes from meat and chicken, to vegetables. Morrisons Merlot in particular is great for pan sauces or reductions with its bramble fruit flavours and soft intensity. Smooth and plummy, this is a red wine for cooking that you’ll keep regularly stocked in the kitchen for all opportunities.
Buy now £4.79, Morrisons
Jacob's Creek Double Barrel Matured Shiraz Red Wine
Depending on your budget, a wine with a £12 price tag might usually be one that you’d reserve for drinking rather than cooking with. But Jacob’s Creek Double Barrel Matured Shiraz Red Wine is an all-rounder that you’ll appreciate in both sipping and eating form.
This rich yet elegant Australian Shiraz is enhanced by its unique barrel ageing process - aged in a wine barrel and a scotch whisky barrel for a smoother and richer finish. Cook it off for a short period of time to release all of those flavours into whatever you’re cooking up.
Buy now £12.00, Amazon
Renato Ratti Nebbiolo Langhe Ochetti Red Wine
You may have to search a little harder to find a Nebbiolo for cooking but it’s worth the pay off for the unique appeal this red wine comes with. Similar to a Cabernet with its acidity and richness but offering a slightly different flavour panel, this Renato Ratti Nebbiolo Langhe Ochetti Red Wine goes brilliantly in stews or braised meats. If you’re cooking with game or darker meats, this is a bottle that promises to impress.
Buy now £19.54, Amazon
Carnivor Zinfandel
Cooking up ribs, lamb or roast beef? A good bottle of Zinfandel will bring your dish to life without setting you back a fortune. A great option that you’ll find widely available in most supermarkets, this Carnivor Zinfandel comes with notes of dark cherry, blackberry jam and perfectly toasted oak. It’s also a great choice for drinking, especially if you’re cooking steak.
Buy now £9.00, Tesco
Morrisons Beaujolais Villages
Beaujolais may be a bit of a rogue choice when it comes to cooking with wine but, if you’ve tried out all of the major players and want something a little different, this could provide a great answer.
Beaujolais is similar to many Burgundy wines but usually comes with a cheaper price tag. It also has a lower alcohol content than other red wines, which means its flavours are more pronounced and easy to pinpoint after the cooking process. The Morrisons Beaujolais Villages is balanced and versatile, filled with ripe strawberry and black cherry flavours.
Buy now £9.65, Amazon
Verdict
You can’t go wrong with a Cabernet Sauvignon (our opinion and also confirmed by our experts above) and Casillero del Diablo Cabernet Sauvignon is a great all-rounder that adds a new level of deliciousness to your cooking. Bon appétit!
