Creative Wine Repurposing Tips from Celebrity Chef and Black-Owned Wine Bar
Chic Chef 77 Bistro & Wine Bar, the first black-owned bistro and wine bar in the state of Arizona and, with the largest selection of Black-owned wines was founded by Celebrity Chef, Entrepreneur, Author, and restaurateur Nik Fields who shares the secrets of how to repurpose old wine. Chef Nik promotes education and discovery among wine lovers and helps sippers pair wine and foods based on chemical compounds and overall impact on the five senses.
Chic Chef 77 offers a 200-bottle wine list and a rotating selection of by-the-glass pours. Here are her tips:
- Cooking: You can use old wine in cooking to add depth and flavor to sauces, stews, and other dishes. Red wine is often used in recipes for beef or tomato-based dishes, while white wine is great for seafood and poultry.
- Vinegar: If the wine has turned into vinegar, you can use it as a base for making homemade vinegar. Add a vinegar mother culture or a small amount of store-bought vinegar to get the fermentation process started.
- Wine Vinegar: You can turn old wine into vinegar by leaving it open to the air. This can be a fun DIY project if you’re interested in making your own wine vinegar.
- Stain Remover: Red wine can be used as a natural stain remover for fabrics. Blot the stain gently with a cloth soaked in wine, then wash as usual.
- Marinade: Old wine can be used as a marinade for meats. The acidity and flavors can tenderize and add depth to the meat.
- Ice Cubes: Freeze leftover wine in ice cube trays. You can use these wine cubes in future recipes, such as sauces or stews, without opening a new bottle.
- Making sangria is a delightful and refreshing process. Here’s a basic recipe for red wine sangria:
Ingredients:
- 10 oz of old red wine
- 1/4 cup of brandy or orange liqueur (e.g., Triple Sec or Cointreau)
- 1/4 cup of sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 orange, thinly sliced
- 1 lemon, thinly sliced
- 1 lime, thinly sliced
- 1 apple, cored and chopped
- 1 cup of orange juice
- 2 cups of soda water or lemon-lime soda (adjust to taste)
- Optional garnishes: cinnamon sticks, fresh berries, or mint leaves
Instructions:
- In a large pitcher, combine the red wine and brandy (or orange liqueur). Add the sugar and stir until it’s dissolved. You can adjust the sugar amount to your taste, making it sweeter or less sweet.
- Add the sliced oranges, lemons, limes, and chopped apple to the pitcher. These fruits will infuse the sangria with their flavors.
- Pour in the orange juice and stir everything together.
- Refrigerate the sangria for at least 2 hours or overnight. Allowing it to sit will enhance the flavors.
- Just before serving, add the soda water or lemon-lime soda to the pitcher. You can adjust the amount to your preferred level of fizziness.
- Add ice cubes to the glasses you’ll be serving the sangria in. You can also add some of the fruit slices from the pitcher for a decorative touch.
- Pour the sangria over the ice and fruit garnishes.
- Optional: Garnish with cinnamon sticks, fresh berries, or mint leaves for added flavor and presentation.
- Enjoy your homemade sangria! It’s a great drink for warm weather and social gatherings.
Feel free to customize your sangria with different fruits or by using white wine instead of red. The key is to have fun and experiment with the flavors to create your perfect blend.
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Nik says, “The majority of wines come from Black-owned brands. We have pop-ups where we sell products, and we carry the largest selection of Black-owned wine and spirits in the state of Arizona.”
Chef Fields curates a Taste Makers series, where spirit makers discuss their flavor profiles. The journey includes table-side pouring instead of the bar and a sommelier on-site to answer questions and discuss wine etiquette.
