master-cooks | The Wines Julia Child Recommended For Her Iconic Coq Au Vin

Julia Child, the culinary icon known for bringing French cuisine to American kitchens, recommended specific wines for her classic coq au vin recipe to achieve its signature depth and richness. Coq au vin, a traditional French dish, is essentially chicken braised with wine, lardons, mushrooms, and garlic, and its success hinges significantly on the choice of wine. Child suggested using a full-bodied red wine, preferably a Burgundy or a similar wine that carries rich, earthy flavors. Burgundy, made from Pinot Noir grapes, offers the perfect balance of fruitiness and acidity, which enhances the dish's savory elements without overpowering them. In addition to Burgundy, she noted that a good quality Beaujolais or Côtes du Rhône could also be suitable alternatives, offering a slightly different yet still harmonious profile. These wines contribute to the sauce's complexity, marrying the flavors of the chicken, herbs, and vegetables seamlessly. Child's emphasis on using a wine that you would enjoy drinking underscores her belief that the quality of the ingredients profoundly impacts the final dish, ensuring that the coq au vin is both a culinary and gustatory delight.

Red wines: do's and don'ts

Julia Child emphasized that Coq au Vin should be made with a young, full-bodied red wine, but she did not mention specific brands or countries of origin. She did, however, suggest that the same wines suitable for the dish would also pair excellently with the meal itself.

While she recommended certain wines, there were definitely options that Julia Child advised against for her Coq au Vin recipe. Her original notes indicated that bold, heavily oaked red wines were inappropriate, and she also pointed out that varietals like Cabernet would not be a good fit.

Her initial recipe called for just 2 cups of red wine, but more contemporary adaptations have increased this to 3 cups. Regardless of whether you choose the original or the modern version, both require a young, full-bodied red wine.

The Wines Julia Child Recommended For Her Iconic Coq Au Vin

Red wines: do's and don'ts

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