Dry Red Wine for Cooking: What to Know and 5 Bottles to Try

Wine and cooking go hand in hand and quite frequently. The former finds itself in the latter, which is to say that cooking with wine is a common practice. Although many wine drinkers know what they like to sip along with their meal, when it comes to choosing a bottle for a recipe that calls for a dry red wine, some guidance can be helpful. 

When it comes to choosing a wine to cook with, the parameters to consider are pretty simple: the wine’s fruitiness and acidity level, both of which will affect the flavor of the dish you’re making; the wine’s price point; and its drinkability on its own. 

Where Does the Best Red Wine for Cooking Come From?

The short answer is: everywhere. When it comes to seeking out red wine for cooking, there’s no specific region that’s particularly better than another. However, in terms of grape varieties and final wines, it’s best to stick to high-acid varieties and cuvées, such as sangiovese or pinot noir, says Mariette Bolitiski, a wine pro and Le Cordon Bleu graduate who has worked as a sommelier and wine director in several top New York City restaurants.

How Much Money Should I Spend on My Red Cooking Wine?

Cooking with something of decent quality is essential, though that doesn’t have to translate to expensive. “Cheap swill does not get better with cooking,” says Bolitiski, noting that sticking within the $12 to -$15 range is generally fine. 

What’s the Difference Between Grocery Store Cooking Wine and Wine from a Wine Shop or Wine Section?

Simply put, most of the “cooking wine” found in grocery stores actually isn’t wine! Most grocery stores in the United States are not legally allowed to sell wine on their shelves, so the makeshift wines labeled as the “cooking” variety are essentially imposters (and generally taste like straight-up vinegar on their own). 

Can I Drink My Red Cooking Wine?

Absolutely, and you should. “If you wouldn’t drink a glass of your cooking wine—and you should definitely pour yourself a glass before it all goes into the pan—then you shouldn’t be cooking with it,” says Bolitiski. Cooking concentrates the wine’s flavors, so if you start out with a subpar bottle, its undesirable flavors will only become more so during the cooking process. Always use a bottle you’d actually drink, not least because, with rare exceptions, you’ll generally have enough of the bottle left over to enjoy a couple of glasses with dinner. 

These are five bottles that will be as great in your saucepan as in your glass.