Can you use a chardonnay to cook with?

Answer

I assume you are referring to the wine, and if so yes, you can use any wine or alcohol containing drink in cooking. You must, of course, use common sense. Chardonnay may be used in fish, poultry and vegetable dishes, chicken, fish, vegetable stocks, etc. Generally, as a rule of thumb for wines- if you would drink the wine with the food you're cooking, you can cook the food with it, but there are many exceptions. For instance, there are wonderful ways to use port, madeira, sherry, etc, that can really enhance a dish, but you wouldn't necessarily drink these wines with the meal. Some people insist that you use the same wine you are serving with the meal to cook with, but my experience is that as long as it is a decent wine, and compatable with the meal/food, it is perfectly fine to use to cook with. Also, there are many dishes/sauces where hard liquor is used: scotch, bourbon, tequilla, etc. And don't forget the Flambes- Cherries Jubilee, Baked Alaska, Bananas Foster, etc!

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