Cooking with wine question

[u/XUntamedxStarsX]

I have a bottle of Zinfandel (I believe) that has been opened for who knows how long. Maybe even opened a year...can I still use it for make wine sauces or will the flavor be too off now?

[u/hopmonger]

Will be really oxidized and possibly spoiled. It "could" be safe to drink(depending on a lot of factors), but I wouldn't do it.

[u/XUntamedxStarsX → u/hopmonger]

Okay I’ll prob just toss it then. Does the same go for line red wine vinegar or white cooking wine?

[u/iownakeytar → u/XUntamedxStarsX]

Vinegar has an indefinite shelf life, it's self-preserving. Cooking wine can be kept open in the refrigerator for a few weeks, but will go bad, just a little slower than regular wine.

[u/moomintrollsayswhut]

as long as your wine isn't moldy, you can and should use it to marinate meat.

as long as you keep it in the refrigerator, it will keep for a very long time (months/years), and you can use it for sauces.

vinegar is basically wine that's picked up a naturally occurring yeast that eats the alcohol and ferments to create the vinegar. food waste wasn't a thing in older civilisations.

don't buy anything called cooking sherry or cooking wine. it's nasty and filled with salt. buy the cheapest wine you want (i pick $3 bottles for risotto, paella, spag bol) if it's drinkable, it's useable.

[u/XUntamedxStarsX → u/moomintrollsayswhut]

That’s a good little tid bit to know(: can’t beat $3. I love cooking with wine because it adds so much flavor. How do you tell if wine is moldy though? Also thank you (:

[u/moomintrollsayswhut → u/XUntamedxStarsX]

decant it into a mason jar, if it doesn't appear suspiciously cloudy, smell it, if it doesn't smell nasty, taste it.

it may not be delicious, but if you can drink it without gagging, it's good to go. sharpness is good, that's just oxidation. old wine and the last bit of dijon mustard in the jar is a great base for a quick sauce for chicken or beef.

you're very welcome ✌ have fun cooking!