Plan for the morning after the holiday: muster your willpower, tidy up the kitchen, and wisely deal with the leftover wine. The morning of January 1st, chaos reigns in the kitchen, and among all this splendor sit half a bottle of white, a third of red, and some sparkling wine that has already lost its fizz. Your hand is tempted to take it all to the sink. But it's better to be creative and frugal. Below are proven life hacks for what to do with leftover wine.
1. Freeze It Immediately!
Yes, you can freeze wine! And it's the simplest way to preserve it. Just pour the leftovers into an ice cube tray or a freezer bag. These wine cubes are a real lifesaver in the kitchen!
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Red – perfect for braising meat, making sauces (like for Bolognese pasta), or stews.
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White – adds a touch of zest to creamy sauces for chicken or risotto.
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Sparkling – a great addition for cocktails! Just toss a couple of cubes into a glass of juice – and you have a refreshing aperitif.
2. Make Mulled Wine... in a Pot
If the wine is no longer very fresh but hasn't turned to vinegar yet, it's perfect for mulled wine! This is especially true for leftover red wine.
Minimum Recipe: Just heat the wine (don't boil it!), add a couple of orange slices, a few tablespoons of honey, a pinch of cinnamon, and a couple of cloves. Drink it hot – and goodbye, winter blues!
3. Become a Sauce Wizard
Leftover wine is a secret ingredient in many restaurant sauces.
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Red – can be reduced in a pan after frying steak or chicken, add a bit of broth and butter. You'll get a rich, noble sauce.
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White – great for light sauces for fish, seafood, or pasta. Just pour it into a pan with shallots and let it reduce a bit.
4. Give Sparkling Wine a Second Life
Leftover sparkling wine has its own story. If it’s no longer fizzy, no problem!
Cocktail "Kir Royale": Mix sparkling wine with blackcurrant liqueur in a glass. It makes for an elegant and tasty drink. Homemade Lemonade: Add freshly squeezed orange juice, a bit of lemon juice, and a few berries to the sparkling wine.
5. Energize Marinades
Wine is a great marinade! It tenderizes meat and gives it a subtle aroma.
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For red meat (pork, beef), use red wine with garlic and herbs.
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For poultry or fish, white wine with lemon juice and rosemary is ideal.
6. Become Beautiful with Wine!
Yes, wine can be used externally too!
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Hair Rinse: Dilute red wine with water (1:1) and use it after washing to give dark hair a beautiful shine and hue. (Blondes should be cautious!).
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Facial Toner: Dilute rosé or white wine with mineral water (1:2) and wipe your face. Grape antioxidants will help refresh your skin. Be sure to do an allergy test!
7. And Finally... Make Your Own Vinegar!
The truly adventurous can try turning leftover wine into homemade vinegar. But it's easier than it seems! Pour the wine into a jar, add a bit of store-bought wine vinegar (as a starter), and cover it with cheesecloth. Leave it in a dark place for 2-4 weeks, stirring occasionally. After some time, you'll have a unique, aromatic vinegar for salads.
So, feeling inspired? As you can see, there’s always a worthy use for leftover wine.
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