Replacing dry white wine with bubbly
I have an onion soup recipe that calls for dry white wine.
Can I replace the dry white wine with simple white cava/lambrusco?
NOTE: I'm aware that there are a number questions regarding substitution of wine, but they seem to refer to non-alcoholic substitutes so none of them mention alcholic alternatives.
Best Answer
I would not mind using a Cava in the Brut range. To me that would be like substituting hints of pears with hints of green apples. French onion soup can be made with different stocks, so I am assuming you are using a chicken stock recipe, which typically calls for a dry white wine. If you are using a beef or veal stock, a low sugar Lambrusco may work, but I can't imagine the flavor.
I use the wine while frying the onions (and not just in the recipe :-). The alcohol helps creates new flavors and it also dissolves some extra ingredients. I find the resulting flavor is richer. As the onions are just as important as the broth, I like the technique Kenji López-Alt's developed after frying 20 lbs of onions. Dashes of wine add sugar and water as he suggests (one can skip the baking soda part for the soup).
With the French onion soup I like Pinot Gris, which reminds me of pears, green tea, and lemons and is not too sweet, with under 12 grams of sugar per liter. I find that the wine flavor does not blend if it is too sweet. The flavors of a Cava are more green apples and spices and their sweetness levels can vary dramatically. They go Brut Nature, Extra Brut, Brut, and Extra Dry, with the extra dry being the sweetest with 12 to 17 grams of sugar per liter.
Pictures about "Replacing dry white wine with bubbly"
Quick Answer about "Replacing dry white wine with bubbly"
Can You Use Sparkling Wine Instead Of White Wine In Cooking? Virginia Jacobs of Wine Taste Talk says flat sparkling can be used the same way as white wine. “You can use this wine to make things like risotto because it gives off a similar flavor to dry white wine.What is a good substitute for dry white wine?
White wine vinegar: This is an ideal substitute for dry white wine, especially when its purpose is to deglaze a pan. Made from white wine, white wine vinegar has many of the same flavor characteristics, minus the alcohol. Lemon juice: This is another good substitute for deglazing.Can sparkling wine be used for cooking?
If your sparkling wine was dry (not sweet), then you can use it pretty much as you would any other leftover white wine in cooking. And if the bubbles are gone, no worries \u2014 the fizziness would be lost in the cooking process anyway.Can I use prosecco instead of white wine?
In any recipe that calls for white wine, I will substitute Prosecco or another sparkling wine when it is available. Wine is a very versatile accompaniment to almost any recipe. It can be a substitute for fats or for liquid in in meat dishes, vegetables, sauces or even desserts.How can I substitute cooking wine?
Non-Alcoholic Substitutes for Cooking WineHow to substitute wines for cooking
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Lukas, Karolina Grabowska, Karolina Grabowska, Laker