7 Ways With Wine

Updated January 26, 2010
Randy Mayor; Jan Gautro

By the splash or generous cupful, wines like port, merlot and pinot grigio lend rich flavor to everything from cocktails to stews to dessert.

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7 Ways With Wine

Credit: Beau Gustafson; Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine

As Julia Child used to so often say, the best wine to cook with is one you consider good enough to drink. As a general rule of thumb, dry (non-sweet) wines work best in savory dishes, while sweet or fortified wines (such as port and sherry) are more attuned to desserts and sauces.

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Mulled Wine Sangria

Credit: Randy Mayor; Styling: Jan Gautro

Mulled Wine Sangria Recipe

This new spin on sangria takes frozen strawberries, orange juice, mulling spices, merlot and club soda to make a flavorfully fun cocktail that's perfect for everything from girls' night in to special celebrations.

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Red Wine-Tomato Pasta

Red Wine-Tomato Pasta Recipe

The quickest way to make marinara sauce a bit more special is to steep it with a small amount of dry red wine. It's a great use for leftover wine. Or, open a new bottle to enjoy while you cook this easy spaghetti supper.

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Pork Medallions with Port Wine-Dried Cherry Pan Sauce

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Lydia DeGaris-Pursell

Pork Medallions with Port Wine-Dried Cherry Pan Sauce Recipe

Quickly cooked in a skillet, this pork tenderloin supper is easy enough for weeknights but equally impressive as company fare. A cup of ruby port wine lends a delicious, savory-sweet flavor note to the simple pan sauce of dried cherries, Dijon mustard, and jam.

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Red Wine Poached Pears

Credit: Leo Gong; Styling: Karen Shinto

Red Wine Poached Pears Recipe

Sugar, sweet spices, and dry red wine bathe fresh Bartlett pears in a burst of flavor and color after just 15 minutes of simmering. A sweet and creamy concoction of whipped cream and mascarpone cheese serves as a delicious, rich contrast to the jewel-toned fruit.

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Chocolate-Red Wine Cake

Credit: © Frances Janisch

Chocolate-Red Wine Cake Recipe

Red wine and chocolate are a perfect pairing that's made even more delicious when featured in this moist chocolate bundt cake. Serve this boozy, not-too-sweet treat for parties and special occasions.

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Tomato-Based White Wine Fish Soup

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Jan Gautro

Tomato-Based White Wine Fish Soup Recipe

White wine perfectly enhances the fennel-tomato broth that pulls together this simple seafood stew of shrimp, scallops and halibut. Elegant but easy, this dinner can be on the table in under 30 minutes. Serve with a side of sturdy bread for dunking.

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Beef Braised with Red Wine and Mushrooms

Credit: Randy Mayor; Jan Gautro

Beef Braised with Red Wine and Mushrooms Recipe

Braising stew meat with a little bit of red wine, broth, and dried porcini mushrooms will send a wonderful aroma throughout the house and, with little tending, yield a rich and flavorful stew that is easily more than the sum of its parts.

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