girl holding wine at the hunter valley vineyard

Best White Wines For Cooking

Adding white wine to your culinary creations is a wonderful way to infuse rich depth of flavour that can transform an ordinary dish into an extraordinary one. The acidity in white wine is fantastic for balancing out rich, heavy dishes, it adds brightness to sauces and marinades, and it can even tenderise meat while it cooks.

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How to choose a white wine for cooking

Choosing the right white wine or red wine for cooking involves considering the flavour profile of the specific varietal and how it will complement the other ingredients in your dish. For white wines, it’s best to select a dry varietal with little residual sugar, as sweet wines can overpower the other flavours in your dish.

 

What white wines are good for cooking?

Best white wine for cooking seafood – Pinot Grigio

Pinot Grigio is an excellent choice for cooking seafood due to its high acidity and fruity and mineral notes. Its light body and refreshing finish perfectly complement the brininess of shellfish, the sweetness of scallops and the delicate flavours of white fish.

Try using Pinot Grigio when cooking steamed mussels, garlic prawns, or spaghetti with clams.

We recommend: 2022 McGuigan Mastercraft Pinot Grigio

 

Best white wine for cooking chicken – Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc is a versatile wine that can add fantastic flavour to a wide range of chicken dishes, from spicy chicken tacos to creamy chicken pasta. Its grassy and herbaceous notes make it a great choice for lighter chicken dishes that may be overwhelmed by a heavier wine.

Try using Sauvignon Blanc in coq au vin blanc (chicken in white wine), creamy chicken and mushrooms, or pan-roasted chicken.

We recommend: 2022 Mastercraft Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc

 

Best white wine for cooking pasta and risotto – Chardonnay

Chardonnay is a full-bodied white wine with a rich, creamy texture that makes it perfect for cooking risotto and pasta dishes. Chardonnay’s full body and rich flavour profile can add depth and complexity to the dish, while its moderate acidity can help balance out the richness of cheese or cream-based sauces.

Try using Chardonnay in mushroom risotto, tortellini with cream and bacon, or chicken and mushroom tagliatelle.

We recommend: 2019 McGuigan Personal Reserve Hunter Ridge Vineyard Chardonnay

McGuigan Black Label red and BBQ food

 

Can I cook with leftover wine?

Repurposing leftover white wine in cooking is a smart way to minimise waste. If you have an open bottle of white wine that is no longer palatable for drinking, you can still use it in your cooking. Seal and store it in the fridge, and it should be fine to use for up to a month.

Looking to find the perfect white you can drink, food match, and cook with?

Shop our range below.


https://www.mcguiganwines.com.au/shop/white-wine/