Best Cooking Wines of 2025
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Cooking wines are a popular ingredient in many kitchens. These wines are specifically made for cooking and are not meant for drinking. They add flavor, depth, and complexity to dishes like sauces, stews, and marinades. Cooking wines are made from a variety of grapes and are often fortified with brandy or other spirits to increase their flavor profile. They are also salted to make them shelf-stable and to enhance their cooking properties. Cooking wines come in both red and white varieties, and can be found in most grocery stores. They are a great addition to any home cook's pantry.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Cooking Wines
Iberia Dry White Cooking Wine
Iberia Cooking Wine is a versatile white cooking wine that is a must-have pantry staple for any home cook. With its rich flavor and aroma, it adds a delicious touch to a variety of dishes. Whether you're making seafood recipes, soups, Italian dishes like risotto, or even salad dressings, poultry dishes, vegetables, and soups, this cooking wine enhances the flavors and brings out the best in your culinary creations. The long shelf life ensures that you can always have this cooking wine on hand for mouthwatering salads, dressings, stews, and sauces. The multipack of three 25.4 oz bottles is perfect for stocking up your pantry. Experience the light white wine taste and pale golden color of Iberia Cooking Wine and elevate your cooking to the next level.
Soeos Shaoxing Rice Wine, 21.64 fl oz
Soeos Shaoxing Rice Wine is widely used in every Chinese restaurant to add authentic flavor to any Asian dish. It can bring out the full flavors of stir-fries, soups, marinades, and elevate pan-fried dumplings with just a few splashes. The wine should be used when the temperature in the pot is the highest during the cooking process. SOEOS is a well-known spice and herb brand that ensures expertly produced fresher ingredients for every kitchen.
52USA Shaoxing Cooking Wine
52USA Shaoxing Cooking Wine is an authentic Chinese rice wine that adds a distinct flavor and aroma to dishes. It is a famous variety of huangjiu, fermented from rice, and originates from the Shaoxing region in China. 52USA Shaoxing wine is commonly used in Chinese restaurants for almost every savory dish. However, it contains wheat.
Holland House Red Cooking Wine
Holland House Red Wine is America's top cooking wine, perfect for enhancing your dishes. Elevate your recipes with its sophisticated flavor, ideal for cooking, roasting, and marinating. This red cooking wine is shelf-stable, always ready for your culinary creations. Blended with seasonings, it's great for marinades and sauces, complementing dishes like roasted beef and pasta. Experience the convenience and elevated taste Holland House Red Wine brings to your kitchen.
Iberia Red Cooking Wine
Iberia Cooking Wine is a full-strength and exquisite wine that enhances the natural aroma and flavors of meat, poultry, vegetables, and sauces. This red cooking wine is perfect for tenderizing meats, adding moisture to your dishes, or sprinkling as a finishing touch for a subtle sweetness. With just a splash, you can elevate the taste of your favorite recipes. Iberia Cooking Wine is exclusively for cooking and will complement any dish you make.
Soeos Shaoxing Cooking Wine 51.24oz (1500ml)
Soeos Shaoxing Wine is a versatile Chinese cooking rice wine widely used in savory dishes. It adds an authentic flavor to Asian stir-frys, soups, and marinades. This cooking wine enhances pan-fried dumplings and is essential in Asian dumpling fillings, marinades for roasted meats like char siu pork, seasonings for stir-fries, and red-cooked dishes. Expertly produced by Soeos, this rice cooking wine is favored by chefs for bringing fresher ingredients to every kitchen. Soeos values customer satisfaction, ensuring your questions and concerns are addressed promptly.
Qian Hu Chinese Shaohsing Rice Cooking Wine (Red)
This Chinese Shaohsing Rice Cooking Wine (Red) by Qian Hu comes in a 750ml bottle and is sold in a pack of 1. It is a great product in the category of rice cooking wines.
Tuscanini Premium Kosher Red Cooking Wine
Tuscanini Red Cooking Wine is a premium Italian cooking wine made from the finest of Rosso Tuscano and White Muscat grapes. It is a delicate cooking wine that greatly enhances the flavor and aroma of your dishes. Achieve that authentic wine flavor in your dishes with Tuscanini's finest, high-quality cooking wine. This versatile cooking wine can be used in sauces, marinades, glazes, and even dressings, adding that touch of finesse to your meals. Tuscanini Red Cooking Wine is certified Kosher for Passover and all year round, making it a perfect addition to your kitchen pantry.
Soeos Mirin Rice Cooking Wine
Soeos Mirin is an essential ingredient for your Japanese cooking needs. This rice wine, sweeter than sake, enhances a variety of dishes, from marinades to sauces. Made with premium short-grain rice and all-natural sugar, it guarantees high quality in every drop. The beautiful, BPA-free plastic bottle not only protects the flavors but also makes pouring and resealing easy. With Soeos, your satisfaction is a priority, so you can feel confident in your purchase and cooking adventures.
Kedem White Cooking Wine, 12.7oz Bottle
Kedem Kosher white cooking wine is an essential ingredient that brings out deeper flavors in your favorite dishes. This 12.7oz bottle is perfect for both professional chefs and home cooks alike. With no added sugar, it is also gluten-free and certified kosher for Passover and all year round.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What kind of wine is good for cooking?
Dry red or dry white wines are generally the best options for cooking, unless a recipe specifically calls for a fortified or dessert wine. For example, Merlot is a good choice for red wine, while Sauvignon Blanc is a suitable option for white wine in cooking.
2. Is there a difference between cooking wine and regular wine?
Yes, there is a difference between cooking wine and regular wine. Cooking wine contains added salt and preservatives, which give it a longer shelf life. The salt is added to enhance the flavor of the dish. However, some people may find the saltiness overwhelming.
3. What is Marsala cooking wine used for?
Marsala cooking wine, a fortified wine from Sicily, is commonly used in cooking to create rich, nutty, and caramelized sauces. It adds a unique flavor to dishes and is highly regarded in the culinary world. It's important to note that Marsala wine should be from Sicily to ensure its authenticity and quality.
4. What are the different types of cooking wine?
There are several types of cooking wines, including Marsala, Sherry, Sauternes, and Rice Wine. Each type has its own distinct characteristics and is used in specific dishes. The main difference between cooking wines and regular drinking wines is the quality, as cooking wines are typically not of the same high standard.
5. Does wine matter in cooking?
Yes, wine can make a significant difference in cooking. It can enhance the flavors of a dish, whether used in a slow-cooked meaty sauce, as a splash in risotto, or as a marinade. Wine adds depth and complexity to the overall taste of the dish.
6. What can I use if I don't have cooking wine?
If you don't have cooking wine, you can use alternatives such as alcohol-free red wine, beef broth, chicken broth, red wine vinegar (mixed with water for similar flavor), cranberry juice, or pomegranate juice. These substitutes can provide similar flavor profiles in your cooking.
7. Is it OK to use cheap wine for cooking?
Using cheap wine for cooking is generally acceptable. The unique characteristics and qualities of an expensive bottle of wine may not be fully appreciated in the cooking process. Since the wine is primarily being used for cooking purposes, it is often more cost-effective to use affordable options.
8. What can be substituted for cooking wine?
If you need a substitute for cooking wine, you can use alternatives like alcohol-free red wine, beef broth, chicken broth, red wine vinegar (mixed with water for similar flavor), cranberry juice, or pomegranate juice. These substitutes can provide similar flavors in your dish.
9. Can I use apple cider vinegar instead of cooking wine?
Yes, apple cider vinegar can be a suitable substitute for white wine in cooking. It has a similar flavor profile with acidity and subtle sweetness, resembling wine. You can use the same amount of apple cider vinegar as you would use wine in a recipe.
10. Do you cook with sweet or dry Marsala?
The choice between sweet (dolce) or dry (secco) Marsala depends on the purpose. Sweet Marsala is generally recommended for baking, while dry Marsala is better for savory cooking. However, a semi-dry (semisecco) Marsala can be a versatile option for both sweet and savory dishes.
During our cooking wine research, we found 24 cooking wine products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 65,558 customer reviews through our big data system to write the cooking wines list. We found that most customers choose cooking wines with an average price of $11.03.
The cooking wines are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of cooking wines, including Iberia, Soeos, 52USA, Holland House, Qian Hu. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 385 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.
Ashley Abels is a former restaurant executive and has worked in the restaurant industry for 15 years. She is also a gourmet who loves tasting different cuisines and trying out all kinds of cooking methods. The food she writes about will make you want to try it!