Burgundy Wine Substitute

Wine has been used for cooking dishes, since a long time and it is seen that a bit of wine in some dishes enhances the flavor of the dish. Typically, both white wine and red wine are used for cooking and both give the dish its own unique taste. Many dishes like mushroom risotto or a creamy sauce for steak just cannot have the same flavor without adding wine in the recipe. Burgundy wines are wines that are produced in the region of Burgundy in France. Both red burgundy wine and white burgundy wines are produced in this region, but generally Burgundy wines are red wines that are made from Pinot Noir grapes. If you are out of burgundy wine and your recipe has it as an ingredient and you don't want to make an extra trip to the supermarket or simply do not want to add wine to your dish, then you need a good burgundy wine substitute. Dry red and white wine has been used extensively for cooking and here we will discuss which substitute for burgundy wine you should choose for which dish.

Substitute for Burgundy Wine

Many people who cook with wine, make the mistake of using a cheap substandard wine just because they think that since they are not going to drink it, the quality does not matter. But the fact is that the quality of the wine makes a huge difference in ultimately how your dish is going to taste. A good rule to remember is that you should never use any wine for cooking which you will hesitate to drink. While using a burgundy wine for cooking you should also note that wine itself, whether burgundy or otherwise, contains salt in it so you need to reduce the amount of salt you add to your dish. Burgundy wine has a unique taste and aroma, and is typically used for flavoring savory and rich dishes such as beef, lamb and duck stews and making creamy sauces and reductions. A burgundy wine not only enhances the taste and aroma of food but it also used for tenderizing meat, for deglazing a pan and as a base for making sauces. Just like a white wine substitute, there are many substitutes for burgundy wine.

Red Wine
The best burgundy wine substitute that you can use is red wine which is made from Pinot Noir grapes. Since burgundy too is made from Pinot Noir grapes, it will have similar flavors. Some good substitutes for burgundy wine are Merlot and Cabernet. You can also use California or Oregon Pinot Noir too. These substitutes will of course not impart the same flavor or aroma to your dish that a Burgundy wine would, but it will still give your dish a great taste.

White Wine Vinegar with Grape Juice
If in your recipe, burgundy wine was used as an ingredient for marinating meat, then you can use a bit of white wine vinegar mixed with grape juice instead. The grape juice will cut the sour taste of the vinegar and it will also help in tenderizing the meat. The correct proportion for this substitute would be equal parts of white wine vinegar to equal parts of grape juice.

Rice Wine Vinegar with Chicken Stock
When a substitute for burgundy wine is required for making a creamy sauce or for deglazing a pan, then you can use red wine vinegar mixed with chicken stock or broth. Alternatively, you can also use rice wine vinegar diluted with red grape juice. While using any type of vinegar as a substitute for Burgundy wine in your dish, be extra cautious in the amount you use in your dish. Too much vinegar will overwhelm your dish and it will taste too sour and sharp. The vinegar is added to the dish to give a hint of tartness and should never overwhelm the palate.

The trick to choosing a burgundy wine substitute is to find a wine made of Pinot Noir that will give you the same incredible silkiness and smoothness as that of burgundy wine. Burgundy wine makes a very fine pairing with hearty beef stews and lamb chops, so you need the best substitute for burgundy wine to get the same flavor and aroma.