Red Wine Reduction Sauce

Introduction to the Recipe

Meet Mariette Bolitiski, a distinguished wine expert and Le Cordon Bleu graduate. With experience as a sommelier and wine director in some of New York City’s top restaurants, Mariette brings her culinary knowledge to your kitchen with a delightful red wine sauce recipe. Her preference for Sangiovese-based wines is rooted in their ideal acidity and subtle fruit presence, making them perfect for cooking. According to Mariette, “When you’re cooking with wine, everything gets concentrated as you reduce the flavors, so thinking about the aromatic components matters.”

This versatile sauce not only enhances your dishes but also leaves you with a delicious wine to enjoy alongside your meal.

Choosing the Right Wine

Selecting a quality wine is crucial when preparing this sauce. Opt for a bottle you’d enjoy sipping on its own, as this recipe requires one cup of wine, leaving you with about two-thirds of the bottle for pairing with dinner. A well-chosen wine will amplify the flavors of the sauce, ensuring a delightful dining experience.

Perfect Pairings

This rich red wine sauce is an excellent accompaniment for pork chops and various cuts of steak. It also works wonderfully as a base for braising short ribs, adding depth and flavor to your dishes.

To make Mariette’s red wine sauce, you will need the following ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup red wine (preferably a Sangiovese)
• 1 cup beef or vegetable stock
• 1 tablespoon flour (optional, for thickening)
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1 minced garlic clove
• 1 sprig of rosemary
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Serving Size: This recipe serves approximately 4 people.

1. Heat the olive oil:

• In a sauté pan, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat.

1. Combine Wine and Stock:

• Pour in 1 cup of red wine and 1 cup of beef or vegetable stock. Allow the mixture to simmer until it reduces by half, intensifying the flavors.

1. Thicken the Sauce (Optional):

• If you prefer a thicker sauce, add up to 1 tablespoon of flour to the mixture and stir well.

1. Finish with Butter and Aromatics:

• Remove the pan from heat and incorporate 4 tablespoons of butter, 1 minced garlic clove, and the sprig of rosemary. Stir until the butter has melted and the garlic is fragrant.

1. Season to Taste:

• Taste the sauce and season with salt and pepper as desired.

1. Serve and Enjoy:

• Drizzle the sauce over your favorite meats and enjoy the delightful flavors.

Mariette Bolitiski’s red wine sauce is a simple yet elegant addition to your culinary repertoire. With its rich flavors and versatility, it’s sure to impress your guests and elevate any meal. Whether served with pork chops, steak, or braised short ribs, this sauce is bound to become a favorite in your kitchen. Enjoy the cooking process and, of course, the wine!