Wine Recipes

When you're deep into winter, when temperatures dip low and frost covers the ground...ok, we're in San Diego, but give us a break: it's only been in the 60s this week!  Regardless of just how cold it is where you are, this is the time of year when you start to crave the fresh and wonderful flavors of summer:  juicy...

Are you tired of throwing out half-full bottles of wine?  (If this is a frequent problem, maybe it's time for a preservation system!) Do you wish you could put those leftovers to good use?  You can!  Try making homemade red wine vinegar.  Not only is it a great way to use up the ends of bottles, it's easy and the...

As summer approaches, it’s time to start thinking about light, refreshing beverages that are ideal for sipping and savoring on a warm, sunny day.  White wine, rosé, and even some reds are wonderful wine choices, of course, and we’ll be highlighting some especially good choices in the posts to come. But say you’re having a party, or just celebrating a...

16th century wine press I love to cook with wine.  But I admit it, sometimes, pouring a cup or a bottle of perfectly good wine into the cooking pot can seem a little sacrilegious.  Is using your good wine in your food worth it? In a word, yes.  Wine imparts a richness and depth of flavor that is simply hard...

One of our most popular posts on the Vintage Cellars Blog has been How to Make Your Own Red Wine Vinegar.  Our readers seem to love the idea of using up bottles of red that are a little past their prime to make something delicious and useful.  But did you know that it's just as easy to make your own...

We've discussed how your can use your leftover bottles of red and white wine to make delicious homemade wine vinegars.  If you've already tried this, you know that homemade vinegars are infinitely better than anything you can buy at the store.  They make better vinaigrettes and sauces, and are just plain tastier.  Homemade vinegar is easy to make and very...

Here on the VC Blog, we've talked about wine vinegars a lot.  We've discussed how to make delicious homemade red wine vinegar and white wine vinegar from those leftover bottles taking up space in your kitchen.  We've also talked about how to then take those tasty vinegars to make individual bottles of flavored vinegars that are equally great to use...

If you find yourself craving something sweet and fruity during these hot summer days, we've got the perfect suggestion for you: the Bellini.  The Bellini originated in Venice, Italy at Harry's Bar (which is still going strong and serving great Bellinis!).  The Bellini is a very simple cocktail that uses only two ingredients--sparkling wine and peach puree (making this the...

Here's a trendy new way to use red wine in the kitchen: boiling spaghetti in wine until it takes on a rich, deep fruity taste and a deep burgundy color.  This minimalistic dish gets so much flavor from the wine that it needs hardly any other ingredients. Besides being a dish that is both interesting and simple, this is a...

Here's an easy summer dessert perfect for wine lovers.  The best part?  No hot oven required! Although you might not normally think of drinking a wine with dessert (unless of course, we're talking about dessert wines), fruit and wine make a natural pairing.  They play off each other perfectly: the fruit really brings out the sweet, fruity flavors in the...

As the cold weather approaches, my tastes start changing.  After months of craving chilled Rosé or Pinot Grigio, I start to want deeper, richer wines.  I'll start with rich, buttery Chardonnays, turn to Pinot Noirs, and eventually end up wanting only the biggest, boldest reds, like Cabernet Sauvignons. My cooking starts to reflect this change, too.  I begin to shun salads...

I promised you plenty of perfect wine recipes for fall, and I plan on keeping that promise.  I love classic, slow-cooked dishes (if you missed our Bouef Bourgignon post, check it out now), so today the Vintage Cellars blog is bringing you another French favorite: Coq au vin. Coq au vin couldn't be simpler: a chicken braised slowly with...

Everyone knows the key to any successful party: good drinks!  If you're hosting a Halloween party this weekend, you can't go wrong with this "Bloody" Orange Mulled Wine recipe.  And it's a snap to make!  Here's the recipe: "Bloody" Orange Mulled Wine Combine in a large pot or slow cooker: 4 bottles of your favorite red wine 4 peeled and...

A white wine sauce is an invaluable tool for any cook to have up her sleeve.  It can be made in a few minutes with very few ingredients, and it really jazzes up an otherwise plain dinner.  White wine sauces are great with simple sauteed dinners: if you're making that weeknight staple, chicken breasts, for example, a white wine sauce...

You may be too old for Santa Claus, but Christmas has a hidden benefit for adults: it provides the perfect excuse to drink in the morning!  This Christmas morning champagne cocktail is perfect for enjoying with a leisurely brunch...preferably while still in your PJs. As with all cocktails made with champagne, quality doesn't matter all that much (but go...

Here's another Christmas wine cocktail sure to please your palate--and your guests'.  This is a great one for parties, and the festive red color makes is perfect for the holiday season.  Bottoms up! Holiday Sangria Mix 2 parts each cherry syrup and gin in a shaker. Pour over ice into a tall glass. Add a large splash of soda...

Hosting a party this New Year's Eve?  Look no further for the perfect cocktail.  This elegant drink looks great in the glass and tastes great too. Sparkling Pear New Year's Cocktail Set out 8 champagne flutes. Divide 1/2 cup of pear nectar (sold in cans in most grocery stores) among them. Carefully top off each glass with your favorite champagne...

We've posted on how to make a white wine sauce.  But we'd be remiss in our duties to provide you with wine know-how without teaching you how to make a red wine sauce as well.  A red wine sauce is a richer, more delectable counterpart to its buddy, the white wine sauce.  Just like a white wine sauce, though, it...

Dying for some grilled food?  I know I am.  In the dead of winter, when it seems like all I'm eating is roasted and slow-cooked meats and hearty pastas, I sometimes get a craving for something a little more fresh tasting.  Nothing satisfies that craving better than a big grilled steak and a crisp green salad.  So put on your...

Although “cooking wine” is sold in supermarkets across America, I would never use it for cooking.  The myth that “since wine evaporates while cooking no one can tell the difference” is flat wrong.  If this were the case, why bother cooking with wine at all?  Yes, many sulfates disappear during the cooking process; however, a wine’s essence and characteristic flavor...