What to do with leftover wine

Don't let leftover wine go to waste.  If left out for too long, wine will begin to oxidize and then will turn quickly into a not-so-delicious vinegar of sorts.

But all is not lost when you find yourself with leftover wine that you do not wish to send down the drain.  Before it gets to that stage have a look at other ways you can use leftover wine and enjoy it for longer.

• Sauces and Gravies :  Red wine is perfect for rich sauces like beef bourguignon or tomato-based pasta sauces. White wine adds a bright flavor to cream sauces or seafood dishes.
• Stews and Braises : A splash of wine can elevate your favorite stew or braise. It helps tenderize meat and adds depth of flavor.
• Marinades : Wine can be used to marinate meats, poultry, or fish before grilling or roasting.
• Reduction : Reduce wine to a concentrated syrup for glazing meats or adding richness to sauces.

Although these simple ideas are enough to savor your favorite wines - how about we delve deeper and add a creative touch.

• Vinegar : Red wine can be turned into a delicious vinegar for salad dressings or marinades.
• Wine-Infused Fruit : Soak fresh fruit in leftover wine for a sweet and flavorful dessert.
• Sorbet or Ice Cream : Add a splash of wine to sorbet or ice cream for a unique twist.
• Wine Gummies : Create a fun and adult treat by making wine-infused gummies.
• Freeze it : For future use, freeze leftover wine in ice cube trays.

We have three very fancy and extra delicious recipes for you that will not only put an end to the off-wine-woes, they will also wow and delight your taste buds (and guests) when you serve them up!

Red Wine Butter 

Simple to make and can be stored in the fridge for a couple of weeks until you’re ready to serve. The very best way to enjoy this incredibly indulgent butter.. In a big knob melting on top of a perfectly cooked steak! 

1. In a small saucepan, combine approximately 1 cup of leftover red wine with some minced garlic (amount of garlic totally depends on how much garlicy-ness you prefer) and a small squeeze of honey.
2. Simmer over a medium heat until the mixture has a thick, syrupy consistency.
3. Allow the syrup to cool completely and then mix it together with a block of softened butter, a pinch of fresh chopped rosemary and a few cracks of black pepper.
4. Once all of the goodness is mixed together, spoon onto a large piece of plastic wrap. Roll the wrap over and twist the ends to form a log shape.
5. Place in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours before serving.

Grown-up Cheese Toasties 

Believe us when we say this... once you’ve tried Grown-up Cheese Toasties, you will never ever want to eat a regular Cheese Toastie ever again. don’t say we didn’t warn you.

1. Melt 1-2 tablespoons of butter in a pan on medium heat. 
2. Add in ½ teaspoon of fresh minced garlic and a pinch of fresh thyme.
3. After a minute or two, slowly whisk in a tablespoon of plain flour (This will thicken quickly).
4. Whisk in your red wine, little by little (you’ll need approx ¾ cup) 
5. Reduce the mixture until it is thick enough to coat a spoon.
6. Spread the mixture onto 2 slices of bread, add a slice of your cheese of choice (Gruyere is our favourite!) and sandwich the slices of bread together.
7. Butter the outside of each slice and pan fry until golden on the outside and gooey on the inside.

Wine Slushie

Now we know it’s cold and wintery out there, so this recipe may be best put away for a couple of months until the evenings are warm and sitting outside with a cold drink is appropriate (and achievable) once again.

This recipe could not be any simpler if it tried. Simply freeze any leftover wine you have in an ice tray and keep it stored in the freezer until you’re ready to whip this one up:

1. Add to an electric blender, a 1:1 ratio your frozen wine cubes and frozen cherries, raspberries, strawberries or blackberries (or a combination of all). 
2. Add a drizzle of honey and a squeeze of lemon juice (to make it a little sweet and a little tangy) 
3. Blitz away! 

Savoury garnishes work beautifully with this mix… something like fresh basil or thyme.