Cooking With Wine
Everyone loves a glass of wine now and then, but there are some truly unique and creative ways to enjoy a glass of wine that you may not even have imagined. From savoring a glass at the end of the day to cooking amazing dishes with wine, there are countless ways to experience a delicious bottle of vino. Here, we’ll explore some of the most creative ways to enjoy a glass of wine.
Pair Wine With The Perfect Food
A classic way to enjoy a glass of wine is to pair it with the perfect food. Not only does this create an amazing combination of flavors and textures, but it also enhances the experience of drinking wine. When selecting a wine to pair with your dish, there are certain considerations to make such as the type of grape, the region of origin, and the acidity and tannins of the wine.
For a classic pairing with steak, a Cabernet Sauvignon is a great go-to. This bold, tannic red wine stands up to strong flavors and has enough acidity to cut through the richness of the steak. Rose wines are a popular summer sip that pairs nicely with everything from salads with acidic vinaigrettes to grilled vegetables and fish. For more delicate flavors like whitefish or lighter veggies, look to a crisp white such as a Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio. And lastly, for a sweet and special finish, Champagne is always a good idea.
Blend Wine With Creative Ingredients
Another great way to enjoy a glass of wine is to mix it with other ingredients to make something entirely new and creative. From fruity sangrias to spritzers to various punch recipes, recipes for creative drinks made with wine are endless. Summer is the perfect time to experiment with these recipes, since there is such a bounty of juicy fresh fruits and herbs that can be used to make truly unique drinks.
For a simple and light summer spritzer, try blending a dry white wine such as Pinot Grigio with cranberry juice, sparkling water, and a squeeze of fresh lime. This drink is light and refreshing and perfect for a hot summer day. For more of a classic punch recipe, try blending a dry white wine with freshly squeezed orange juice and a generous splash of peach liqueur. Serve this punch over a bowl filled with ice cubes and apricot slices for a truly special summer drink.
Cook Delicious Dishes With Wine
Wine also makes an excellent ingredient for cooking savory dishes. From gratins and sauces to braised meats and stews, a few splashes of wine can take a recipe from mundane to magnificent. A classic favorite is coq au vin, a rustic French dish of chicken braised in wine and mushrooms. This traditional dish is easy to make and the results are downright delicious.
Another great dish for cooked wine is this Marcella Hazan’s three-ingredient tomato sauce. This venerable Italian cook adds a whole bottle of red wine to her sauce along with garlic and butter. The results are a rich, deeply flavored and intensely savory sauce.
Cellar and Age Wine in the Perfect Cellar
If you’re a fan of aged wine and you have a bit of a collection growing, then one of the best ways to enjoy your wine is to properly cellar and age it. Investing in a good cellar is an investment in your wines, as it creates the perfect climate and humidity for the bottles to mature.
When it comes time to drink your aged bottles, the results can be amazing. Make sure to use the proper stemware to make the most of your special bottles and savor the flavor and complexity of the wine. A great example of this is a well-aged Bordeaux blended from several vintages. Aged just right, these wines become soft and supple, with well-integrated tannins and a round, supple mouthfeel.
Explore Wine-Tasting Tours
Finally, the best way to enjoy a glass of wine is to take a wine-tasting tour. Whether it’s a weekend at a local winery or a more in-depth trip to a region known for its wines like Napa Valley or the Loire Valley, taking a tour of a wine region is an amazing way to explore wines and expand your knowledge.
On these tours, you’ll be able to try wines made with different grapes and grown in different soils and climates. It’s a great way to expand your palate and discover new wines. Plus, the scenery isn’t bad either!
Conclusion
These are just a few of the most creative ways to enjoy a glass of wine. From pairing wine with the perfect food to experimenting with creative recipes to taking an in-depth tour of a wine region, there are countless ways to explore and savor a delicious bottle of wine. So the next time you’re looking for an interesting and unique way to experience a glass of vino, consider one of the ideas above.
Image Credit: Pexels