How to Make a Red Wine Demi Glace

Co-authored by Ashley Crawford

Last Updated: October 11, 2024 References

Demi glace is a rich sauce made with red wine and beef, veal or vegetable stock. Popular red wines used to make a demi glace include Madeira and sherry. Red wine demi glace can be used alone, on meat or as the base for brown sauces. Here are the steps to make a red wine demi glace.

1

Melt butter.

Download Article

Heat a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally until the butter is completely melted. Reduce the heat slightly if the butter begins to brown.^{[1]
X
Research source}

2

Whisk in flour.

Download Article

Use a wire whisk to incorporate the flour into the butter and prevent it from clumping. The butter and flour will form a roux and look like a thickened paste when completely combined.^{[2]
X
Research source}

3

Add veal, beef, or vegetable broth.

Download Article

Use the whisk to stir the roux of flour and butter off the bottom of the pan and mix it into the broth. Whisk the mixture until the roux is fully mixed into the broth and all clumps have been broken down.^{[3]
X
Research source}

4

Stir in red wine and let simmer until it’s reduced by half.

Download Article

Simmer the broth and wine on low for 1 hour. Stir the red wine into the broth using a circular motion. Be sure the wine is thoroughly incorporated into the mixture. Then, allow the red wine demi glace to simmer on low heat for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. After an hour, he liquid should have reduced to approximately half its original volume in the pan.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- Reduce heat slightly if there is any buildup on the bottom of the pan. This is a sign that your sauce is too hot and could burn.
- Reducing the broth and wine by half concentrates the flavor and thickens the sauce.

5

Check the consistency.

Download Article

The demi glace is ready if it glazes the back of the spoon and stays on it. Simmer the sauce for an additional 20 minutes if the demi glace is still runny when you test its consistency. Then perform the same consistency test to check the thickness of the sauce.^{[5]
X
Research source}

6

Stir in more butter.

Download Article

Slowly pour the butter into the demi glace. Stir the sauce continuously as the butter melts so it mixes completely into the sauce.

7

Add demi glace to meat dishes.

Download Article

You can also serve demi glace on the side like a gravy. Demi glace is a concentrated sauce with strong flavor, so use it in moderation until you know your tastes.

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

Can I make red wine demi glace in advance?

Community Answer

Yes.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 10
Question

How much flour and wine would go into a demi glace?

Community Answer

1/4 cup flour (you can put the flour through a sifter to make it more consistent) and 1/2 cup red wine, such as Madeira or sherry.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 1