The Best White Wine for Cooking + 5 Recipes To Try

by JJ Buckley Fine Wines


Beautifully plated food on a rustic wood table with a glass of white wineSure, you've heard of and probably tried dishes that use wine as an ingredient. Pasta. Proteins. Sauces. Desserts. No matter the meal, wine can elevate flavors and bring complexities to your plate, making eating feel luxurious. 

Bringing the same feeling into your home when you cook means knowing a bit more about why wine is a special ingredient and getting comfortable with experimenting in the kitchen. After all, if you're going to pour some white into your glass, why not pour some into your pan?

The Science of Using White Wine in Cooking

Alcohol and Flavor

Though many people believe wine adds flavor, the truth is that it actually makes other ingredients taste better. Alcohol helps release molecules already present in food and dissolve fats, bringing out flavors that other liquids or liquid fats can't. After the wine is added to a dish and it begins to cook, the alcohol evaporates, and the present flavors concentrate and meld together. To skip the boozy taste, make sure most of the alcohol cooks off and whatever sauce or broth you're making reduces by at least one-third. 

Tannins and Texture

Tannins come from grape skins, stems, and seeds, and are what affect the texture of the wine you drink. Rather than experience them as a flavor or taste, we tend to feel them as dryness or a light coating in our mouths. They attach to proteins and fats in dishes and can create an overall silky mouthfeel, but they must be cooked down long enough so as to not taste bitter. White wines have fewer tannins than red wines and are less likely to taste astringent, making them more versatile. 

Aromas and Finish

Matching the flavors and aromas in the wines you cook with to those in the ingredients you're cooking with can take your dishes to the next level. For example, a bright, citrusy white wine like sauvignon blanc pairs well with meals that have lemon as a main component or finishing element. As you start to play around with finding your best white for cooking, notice the aromas in the foods you tend to eat and the wines you tend to sip, and you'll begin to make connections. 

What Is the Best White Wine for Cooking?

Dry, white wines with high acidity work best for most dishes, and are often described as "crisp," "fruity," or "bright." Usually, fruits like lemon, passionfruit, or green apple are paired with floral and herbal notes, adding a bright punch to your plate. Some of the best white wines to get started with are ones widely available, making it easy to find one that works for your culinary tastes. 

  • Sauvignon Blanc: With green, herby notes and stone fruits often coming together in this especially acidic white, it's perfect for white meat and fish dishes that use earthy spices like thyme, fennel, and rosemary, or even fatty vegetarian dishes like white bean casserole or zucchini lasagna.
  • Pinot Gris: A rich, medium-bodied white wine, pinot gris goes well with rich, indulgent meats like pork or foie gras, as well as rustic sautéed or roasted vegetables like mushrooms and turnips.
  • Semillon: This grape can take on a variety of flavors in the stone fruit family, such as apricot, peach, and mango, making the resulting wine less acidic and a bit sweeter than other varieties. It's great for lighter mains like sushi or grilled chicken, as well as with sharp cheeses, nuts, as well as the star of cream sauces. 

Remember: when you cook with wine, the wine cooks down, and the concentrated flavors are left behind. It sounds simple, but keeping this in mind each time you create a pairing will help you make the best choices for the dishes you want to create.

What Recipes Should I Start With?

Here are some of the white wine recipes you should begin with, as they're easy and delicious to make as you get started.

Bohemian Spritz

This fizzy wine drink with a hippie name is powered by pine, elderflower, and dry white wine — perfect for tapas or happy hour.

  • How To: Combine three ounces of white wine, 1/2 ounce of vermouth, 1/2 ounce of elderflower liqueur, and 1/4 ounce of pine liqueur in a shaker and pour into a wineglass filled with ice. Top with a large splash of both club soda and sparkling wine, adding a grapefruit peel to your rim to finish. 

Salmon with Corn and White Wine-Butter Sauce

A rich sauce made with white wine and butter brings the umami of salmon and the sweetness of corn together for a colorful and satisfying dish. 

  • How To: Toss four cups of shredded zucchini with salt and pepper and set aside as you cook two chopped shallots in a big splash of olive oil, cooking until softened. Add 1/4 cup of white wine, letting it reduce for about two minutes. Stir in a cup of corn and 1/2 cup of water, then pat the zucchini dry and toss in the sauce until heated through. Take off of heat, and season with salt and pepper to taste. To make the salmon, use a large pan and:
    • Combine two cups of wine with two cups of water, two thyme sprigs, one shallot, and one bay leaf 
    • Bring the poaching liquid to a low simmer
    • Season four salmon fillets with salt, add to liquid and turn after six minutes, then discard liquid and pat salmon dry
    • Add 1/2 cup of wine to the saucepan, simmer, and whisk in a stick of butter one tablespoon at a time until thick
    • Stir 1/4 cup of basil into the warm vegetables, spoon onto plates, then top with salmon and sauce
    • Enjoy!

Roasted Peaches with Honey-Rosemary Syrup

Who says wine isn't for dessert? Prepare this simple and impress the next time you have guests over.

  • How To: Combine two cups of white wine, two tablespoons of honey, one cup of water, one rosemary sprig, and 1/4 cup of sugar in a large saucepan. Boil on low until reduced by half, approximately 30 minutes, then remove the rosemary sprig. Halve four peaches and discard pits, then arrange on a baking dish, top with the syrup, and cook for 40 minutes at 350 degrees. 

Choose the best white wine for cooking in your kitchen

Decide what dishes you'd love to try, choose some of our whites to use with them, and start getting creative in the kitchen. After all, if you're already drinking wine, why not cook with it? With so many varieties to choose from, it can be hard to decide what bottle you want to uncork. JJ Buckley Fine Wines' easy-to-navigate website allows you to find exactly what you're looking for — and if you're still not sure, our team of Fine Wine Specialists will guide you in the right direction.