Re: Hey Karen, since you may have cooked this before...
Well, years ago in France, there were too many roosters, and they made SO MUCH NOISE in the morning that the French found a great way to cut down the noise!!!
Seriously, I dont know except that all "true" coq au vin" recipes seem to call for rooster, if you can get it (and an older rooster). It allegedly makes a richer dish.
On "ehow.com" i found this:
Coq au vin is an old French dish of rooster (hence the coq, or cock) marinated and then braised in wine. Today we usually use chicken, but it's still a rich and flavorful dish.
