As many of you know, my second passion after fine wine is fine cooking. It’s even better when I can put the two together.

Wine has long been a staple ingredient in many cuisines, and for good reason. The complex flavours and aromas of wine can enhance the taste of many dishes, from hearty stews to delicate sauces.

Here are just a few of the different ways you can use wine in your cooking:

1. Deglaze a pan

When you cook meat or vegetables in a pan, the last little bits of flavour can stick to the bottom of the pan. Deglazing the pan with wine, broth, or another liquid can loosen these and create a delicious sauce. Simply pour wine into the hot pan and scrape the bottom with a wooden spoon to release the all-too-often-forgotten morsels.

2. Add to sauces

Wine can be added to sauces to give them a deeper, more complex flavour. It can be used in tomato-based sauces, such as marinara or bolognese, as well as cream-based sauces, like Alfredo. Red wine is often used in meat sauces, while white wine is used in cream-based sauces.

3. Marinade for meat

Marinading meat in wine can help to tenderise it and infuse it with flavour. It’s best to use a dry red wine for marinades, as sweet or fruity wines can be overpowering. Red wine marinades work deliciously with beef, lamb, and game meats.

4. Poach fruits

Poaching fruit in wine can create a delicious dessert or topping for breakfast dishes. Simply combine wine, sugar, and spices in a saucepan, bring to a simmer, and add the fruit. Poached pears or apples are especially delicious.

5. Desserts

Wine can also be used in desserts to take it to the next level. It’s often used in chocolate cakes and other rich desserts, where the wine flavour can complement the chocolate. Desserts made with fortified wines, such as sherry or port, are also popular.

Now, when cooking with wine you must never forget to consider the value of the wine itself. If you have a fine bottle on your hands, it’s up to your judgment on whether the enhanced flavours equal the value of the vintage you’ll be using. In other words, there are some wines that are better for cooking than for drinking, but I’ll the decision up to you and your tastebuds.

So, as we can see, wine can be a versatile ingredient in cooking, adding flavour and complexity to a wide variety of dishes. From sauces to marinades, poaching to desserts, wine can elevate your cooking and take your dishes to the next level. Next time you’re in the kitchen, consider using wine to add a little something extra to your cooking, be it a splash of flavour or a glass of inspiration.