Wine help to use in Julia Child's Boeuf Bourguignon for Valentine's Dinner.
The recipe calls for 3 cups of a full-bodied young red wine, or a Chianti. Like I know what that means!
I don't know squat about wine, but am looking for something reasonably priced and less expensive, but great tasting, to use in this dish that I can pick up at a Whole Foods or typical grocery store. Does anyone have any recommendations?
You don't need to know squat. Just find one that's drinkable, ask whomever is working at the wine store what they recommend for cooking. PLEASE skip WF as a destination for your wine purchase
WF in my neighborhood are less than helpful, overpriced and wines are stored improperly. Don't want to ruin a good meal w/a bad btl; which they most likely would not let you return. However it is standard practice in a wine shop IMHO
I have made the Julia Child beef bourguignon, and while it's good, I actually think the best version of this classic dish is Oui, Chef's version: http://www.ouichefnetwork.com/oui_chef/2010/03/beef-bourguignon.html. The one draw back is that it uses 2 bottle of wine instead of the 1 called for in the Child recipe. But that extra bottle makes it oh so delicious! The recipe is (in my opinion) easier to follow, easier to make ahead of time, and much more delicious. I have used merlot for the recipe and it turned out great. Whatever you end up doing, enjoy both the meal and the occasion!
When Julia wrote that recipe, Americans did not drink much wine. I remember reading that she wrote it with Gallo's Hearty Burgundy in mind because it was a decent and readily available red, which it was, for the times. I've made that recipe many times (even with Hearty Burgundy back in the day) and have never used an expensive red. If it tastes like you'd drink it, go for it. BTW if the BB sits in the frig for a day after you make it, it will be even more delicious.
We recently made that very recipe with an inexpensive Beaujolais, certainly under $10. You don't need anything fancy since the finer qualities of any wine you use will cook away.
mainecook has the answer for you. Hearty Burgundy is fine.Paul Masson or Gallo Hearty Burgundy is fine. That's what i typically use and I have made Julia's recipe for yrs. I don't drink it but it's great for cooking. (Def not pinot noir or chianti; not hearty enough.)
This is an "oops!" story...I once -- honest, accidentally!!-- pulled a lovely Penfolds shiraz out of the pantry just looking for "any old bottle" and made the BEST JC BB ever. Unfortunately, this wasn't any any old Penfolds (typically a reasonable price point) but one of their RWT. That's right, I used a $100 bottle of wine in beef stew. But, it really was an AMAZING BB! (served alongside a $25 bottle of Penfolds ... somehow it balanced everything). Since this was for an "event" -- in this case Mothers' Day -- everyone enjoyed not only a lovely meal but a good laugh! Ultimately, a good reminder on the importance of good pantry organization ...
I once opened a bottle of a very fancy Pomerol by mistake. I was making hamburgers for the kids and enjoying a glass (a juice glass, mind you) while I worked. MMMM, good stuff, I thought. It certainly was. However, I think I enjoyed that bottle more than if it had been a nice occasion with proper glasses!
Burgundy is the defacto choice. You can find CA made ones for the cheap.
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Also, Merlot is fine. As is Pinot Noir.
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You don't need to know squat. Just find one that's drinkable, ask whomever is working at the wine store what they recommend for cooking. PLEASE skip WF as a destination for your wine purchase
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Why? Overpriced? Not a knowledgable wine staff? I only mentioned them because they carry wine and is nearby. Other than that, Bevmo is near by.
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If you can drink it you can cook with it!
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WF in my neighborhood are less than helpful, overpriced and wines are stored improperly. Don't want to ruin a good meal w/a bad btl; which they most likely would not let you return. However it is standard practice in a wine shop IMHO
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I see. I just remembered that I'll be near a wine shop this weekend by chance— so I suppose I'll try there first. Thanks!
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P.S. Pick up leftover Beaujolais Nouveau. It should be a steal right about now
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I have made the Julia Child beef bourguignon, and while it's good, I actually think the best version of this classic dish is Oui, Chef's version: http://www.ouichefnetwork.com/oui_chef/2010/03/beef-bourguignon.html. The one draw back is that it uses 2 bottle of wine instead of the 1 called for in the Child recipe. But that extra bottle makes it oh so delicious! The recipe is (in my opinion) easier to follow, easier to make ahead of time, and much more delicious. I have used merlot for the recipe and it turned out great. Whatever you end up doing, enjoy both the meal and the occasion!
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Thanks :)
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When Julia wrote that recipe, Americans did not drink much wine. I remember reading that she wrote it with Gallo's Hearty Burgundy in mind because it was a decent and readily available red, which it was, for the times. I've made that recipe many times (even with Hearty Burgundy back in the day) and have never used an expensive red. If it tastes like you'd drink it, go for it. BTW if the BB sits in the frig for a day after you make it, it will be even more delicious.
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Great, thank you! I'll be sure to make this on the 13th then and let it sit! :)
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We recently made that very recipe with an inexpensive Beaujolais, certainly under $10. You don't need anything fancy since the finer qualities of any wine you use will cook away.
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A Chateneuf-du-Pape would be fantastic with this dish!
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mainecook has the answer for you. Hearty Burgundy is fine.Paul Masson or Gallo Hearty Burgundy is fine. That's what i typically use and I have made Julia's recipe for yrs. I don't drink it but it's great for cooking. (Def not pinot noir or chianti; not hearty enough.)
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I want to put in a plug for Jacques Pepin's recipe. It is so very delicious!
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This is an "oops!" story...I once -- honest, accidentally!!-- pulled a lovely Penfolds shiraz out of the pantry just looking for "any old bottle" and made the BEST JC BB ever. Unfortunately, this wasn't any any old Penfolds (typically a reasonable price point) but one of their RWT. That's right, I used a $100 bottle of wine in beef stew. But, it really was an AMAZING BB! (served alongside a $25 bottle of Penfolds ... somehow it balanced everything). Since this was for an "event" -- in this case Mothers' Day -- everyone enjoyed not only a lovely meal but a good laugh! Ultimately, a good reminder on the importance of good pantry organization ...
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I once opened a bottle of a very fancy Pomerol by mistake. I was making hamburgers for the kids and enjoying a glass (a juice glass, mind you) while I worked. MMMM, good stuff, I thought. It certainly was. However, I think I enjoyed that bottle more than if it had been a nice occasion with proper glasses!
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Hilarious! Glad it all worked out in the end :)
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Hilarious! Glad it all worked out in the end :)
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Mainecook61 - not only do I like your style, we must be cosmically related... :)
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