You have a recipe that requires white wine? Great! But you make your way to the cellar, the fridge, the pantry… no white wine!! What can you do?
Experience has taught Terry Pomerantz that the old saying is true: “If there is a problem, there is a solution!” And Terry adds: “The end result when replacing white wine is often tastier than the original recipe. Furthermore, you should never use your best white wines for cooking”.
Chicken Broth
To replace a white wine that is low in sugar, Terry Pomerantz suggests using chicken broth without added salt, to which you add a little bit of white wine vinegar for a touch of acidity.
Rosé Wine
“In a recipe, wine not only adds flavor to the meat, it is also used to tenderize the meat. A powerful rosé wine like a Tavel or Bandol will have the same impact as a white wine in your recipe. For example, it will tenderize your chicken while also bringing out the flavors.”
When you replace white wine with rosé, you can also dilute the rosé with a little bit of water to take away some of the acidity.
White Wine Vinegar
White wine vinegar has a lot of flavors that are similar to white wine. By diluting it in water, you will take some of the acidity away.
Water and vinegar
A white wine sauce is truly perfect for fish. If you replace the white wine by a mixture of 2/3 water with 1/3 white wine vinegar and a little bit of diluted sugar, your recipe will be just as delicious.
Apple Juice
To replace white wine in a sauce that is light and smooth, apple juice is a great alternative. Given that it tends to be a little too sweet, you can add lemon juice or white vinegar to it.
White Grape Juice
The flavor of white grape juice is so close to white wine that both can easily be confused. However, grape juice will lack the zest brought by the acidity in the wine. By adding a little bit of vinegar, white grape juice can easily become a substitute to the white wine you normally use for cooking.
“I don’t like to run out of white wine for cooking. So, whenever this happens, you will find me at the SAQ Depot the very next day to replenish my white wine provisions!”
An avid wine lover, Terry Pomerantz shares his love of fine bottles, guided by a responsible approach to the art of living. Discover his advice on food and wine pairing, his favorite bottles, and the ideal choices for each season and occasion. Immerse yourself in his passion and learn to fully appreciate each bottle in good company.