Mulled wine is the typical hot drink of winter, perfect to warm up while strolling among the stands of the Christmas Markets or after a day spent skiing on the slopes. It is also good against cold.
What is mulled wine?
Mulled wine is made of red wine heated with sugar and spices. It's slightly alcoholic, but not too much, since most of the alcohol evaporates or burns during preparation.
The origins of mulled wine
The roots of mulled wine sink into antiquity. Already in the Roman era there was a similar drink, the conditum paradoxum, a mixture of wine, honey, pepper and various spices, which was served hot. It was appreciated not only for its taste, but also for its alleged therapeutic properties, in particular to combat winter ailments.
In the Middle Ages, the spice wine tradition continued to spread throughout Europe, adapting to different local cultures. In Germany it is known as Glühwein, in Sweden as glögg, while in England it takes the name of mulled wine. Each country has developed its own version, but the basic idea is always the same: warm body and spirit with an aromatic and comforting wine.
How to make mulled wine?
The basic ingredients of a delicious mulled wine are good red wine, cinnamon sticks, cloves, sugar, lemon, apple and oranges. Other additional ingredients vary according to regions and alter slightly the taste of wine: an organic lemon zest in the Bellunese, a sprinkle of cardamom in South Tyrol and Trentino.
Once the wine starts to boil, you can decide whether or not to keep heating the wine and burn the alcohol which has not evaporated. Generally speaking, a good mulled wine should not contain over 7% alcohol by volume.
Children and teetotalers can try non-alcoholic mulled wine, made of apple juice heated with cinnamon sticks, cloves and orange zest.
To prepare mulled wine at home, read our recipe!
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