Cooking with Wine.

Wine is a very rare used  ingredient in Indian cooking, though with wine trends catching up in India most chefs and culinary enthusiasts are experimenting the use of wine, It helps in enhancing the taste of the dish, sometimes acts as a tenderizer in meat products, builds flavor, color and consistency of the dish.

Before experimenting with wine it is necessary to know the effects of wine on certain ingredients, and use them correctly to get best results.

Wines that are very dry offer a fresh light herbal tilt that will enhance a dish.

Gewurztraminer, Riesling, and Viognier all have dynamic fruity flavors and exotic floral aromas that counterbalance heavily spiced dishes.

Port, Sherry, Madeira, and Marsala - Are among the best wines good cooks can have on hand. They pack the most intense flavors and―because they're fortified with a little more alcohol than table wine―have the longest life on the pantry shelf.

Port has a rich sweetness and depth that’s good in meat based dishes.

Sherry's complex roasted nutty flavors can enhance just about any soup, stew, or sautéed dish.

Never cook with a wine you wouldn't drink.

A poor quality wine with sour or bitter flavors will only contribute those flavors to the dish. 

Kerala Chicken with Red Wine.

Chicken pieces - 3 nos
(skinless, boneless lean chicken pieces) 
Tomato - 2 nos
(cut into small pieces)
Mushrooms - 15 - 20 nos(small ones)
((cut into small pieces)
Onions - 2 nos
(chopped)
Chilly powder - 1/2 tsp
Coriander powder - 1/2 tsp
Pepper powder - 1/2 tsp
Garam masala - 1/2 tsp
Salt - As reqd
Cardamom- 4 nos
Red wine - 1/2 cup
(The one you get in US and not the one made in kerala which is very sweet)

Preparation:

1-    Cut Chicken into small pieces.

2-    Mix it with chilly powder, coriander powder, pepper powder, garam masala and salt.

3-    Grill both mushrooms and chicken, till chicken is cooked in oven.(20 mins)

4-    Saute onions with all the powders.

5-    Add cardamoms.

6-    When the chicken is done and onions are sauted, mix them together.

7-    Pour aroung half of red wine and sauté the chicken, mushrooms, tomatoes and onions well.

8-    After 5 – 10 mins when the dish becomes juicy, remove.

9-    Serve with Chappathi or Rice.