These days wine is used for much more than being enjoyed in a social setting or with a good meal - and speaking of meals, more and more people are learning how to use wine to enhance their dishes. Whether you’re a new cook experimenting with recipes or a savvy pro that loves to throw together a meal from scratch, adding wine into the equation can kick up your culinary skills a notch and impress even the pickiest eaters.

Chances are you’re no stranger when it comes to wine being used in cooking. Watch any show with a celebrity chef and nine times out of ten, they’ll reach for a bottle of white wine or red wine at some point in the program. This isn’t done just so people can get a buzz while eating, either. As an ingredient, wine brings about a whole score of benefits that not only applies to the food it is in, but your health as well.

If you are new to using wine in your food, the first step is to educate yourself on the subject. Before you can use red wine or white wine in your dishes, you have to know how to use them. Needless to say, there are a variety of different types of wine, each with its own flavor. A great way to give yourself a crash course is to attend a wine tasting, either at a winery or schedule one in your home and invite your friends. Wine tasting will introduce you to the basics of red wine and white wine. By sampling each kind, you’ll know which ones you like and which ones you don’t particularly care for. Make sure to ask the presenter if they have any recommendations as to which types of wine would be good as an ingredient for cooking. Take notes and then experiment at home.

You don’t have to be a top chef in order to incorporate this ingredient into your meals, either. One of the easiest baby steps you can take when it comes to bringing wine into the kitchen is to use it with a bit of cooking oil the next time you plan on sautéing your veggies. This means you won’t have to rely on large amounts of butter. In addition to sautéing with wine you can also use it to simmer your food, which is perfect for allowing the flavor of the wine to become absorbed into your food as you cook it. Did you know that you can even use wine to marinade your favorite meat or seafood dishes? It’s true! And the great thing about this cooking secret is that you don’t have to completely change around your original recipe. Simply throw together your dish to marinate like you normally would but just make sure to add a dose of your white or red wine and you’ll be good to go!

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