Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

　　

Ingredients

1/4 cup water

　　1/4 cup sugar

　　3 tablespoons red-wine vinegar

　　1 cup finely chopped onion (about 1 medium)

　　3 tablespoons unsalted butter

　　2 cups Merlot or other dry red wine

　　2 cups rich veal stock* or demiglace*

　　*available at specialty foods shops and some supermarkets

　　

Step 1

In a small heavy saucepan bring water with sugar to a boil, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Boil syrup, without stirring, until a golden caramel. Remove pan from heat and carefully add vinegar down side of pan (caramel will steam and harden). Cook caramel over moderate heat, stirring, until dissolved, about 3 minutes, and remove pan from heat.

　　

Step 2

In a heavy saucepan cook onion in butter over moderate heat, stirring, until golden, about 5 minutes. Stir in wine and boil until mixture is reduced to about 1 cup, about 15 minutes. Stir in stock or demiglace and boil until mixture is reduced to about 2 cups, about 10 minutes. Remove pan from heat and stir in caramel. Pour sauce through a sieve into a bowl. Sauce may be made 2 days ahead, cooled completely, and chilled, covered. Reheat sauce before serving.