I would like to try a linguini with clams recipe which calls for a dry white wine....not knowing anything much about wine can a very dry sherry be substituted?
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Generally, when a recipe calls for "dry white wine", they're usually talking about an inexpensive Chablis wine which "works". However, if you "know" wines, there is usually a better wine to substitute for plain ol' Chablis which is a mixture of about "everything" left over in white wine vats.
Unfortunately, dumping an 8 oz. cup or so of a wine you love to drink into a sauce or whatever often sorta "bothers" me... I'd rather DRINK it outta a glass with a stem, buttttttttt... I've been known to use a fair amount of a good
Gewurztraminer (but
NEVER a Chateau St. Jean Gewurztraminer! That would be almost "illegal"!!!) or maybe a nice Beringer
Merlot in a recipe that called for a wine. Like Chateau St. Jean, I've never had a "bad" Beringer wine, they're a great vineyard.
As to your linquini with clams recipe, I suggest you try a Chateau St. Michelle Gewurztraminer... it should add a nice flavor to that dinner. While it's no Chateau St. Jean, it's still a decent Gewurtz which would do well with your linquini w/clams and be a very nice wine to serve with dinner as well since it is very reasonably priced at about $9.00 a bottle. Buy 2 bottles, one to cook with and drink while you're cooking (I call it "Chef's Sauce") and the other to serve with dinner.
Part of the "fun" with wines is finding those "cool" bargains and Chateau St. Michelle Gewurztraminer is one of those "bargains" I found a few years ago... well, maybe a tad longer ago than that....
!
In fact, I have a bottle of it "cooling" in the refrigerator right now because I plan to make a big pot of Chili later today and I'll be needing some "Chef's Sauce" while I cook... YUMMMMMMM! Of course, if I feel "spendy", I buy the Chateau St. Jean's Gewurztraminer at $17-$18 a bottle... it is SOOOOOO good!!!
Enjoy your linquini w/ clams... and the wine as well.
Strength & Honor...
Ron T.