

For example, apples and citrus fruits (usually oranges) pair nicely with cinnamon. Sweeteners and FruitsĬertain mulled wines also include sweeteners, such as honey or fruit, to complement the warmth of the spices. Whole spices, rather than ground spices, are often preferred. Other spices sometimes used are pepper, cardamon, rosemary, ginger, and star anise. Mulling Spicesĭepending on the recipe, traditional mulling spices are usually cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. That being said, white wines and rosés also make excellent mulled wines! Try our Riesling with some cinnamon and oranges for a different take on traditional mulled wine. Our Sweet Scarlet, Sangria, and Merlot are all great choices for traditional mulled wine.Įven if you’re not much of a red wine drinker, you may be surprised to find you enjoy the sweetness and warmth of red mulled wine. If you use a dry red, keep in mind you may need to add more sugar than a recipe calls for. Red wines are traditionally used to make mulled wine, and while any red wine can work, sweet reds will give you a nice, sweet base, meaning less sugar added in later. While there are plenty of different mulled wine recipes out there, the basic ingredients are red wine, mulling spices, sweeteners, and/or fruit. For that, you can thank beloved author Charles Dickens, who mentioned mulled wine in his classic novella “A Christmas Carol.” However, mulled wine as we know it today and the tradition of enjoying it during the holiday season didn’t emerge until the Victorian Era in England. With the rise and expansion of the Roman Empire across Europe, so too did the consumption of mulled wine.ĭuring the Medieval era, mulled wine became even more popular, with kings enjoying the beverage. Often credited to the ancient Greeks, mulled wine has been enjoyed for over 2,000 years. Indeed, mulled wine, or spiced wine, is served and enjoyed while hot, making it a perfect drink for the holidays. What exactly is mulled wine? The word “mull” means to “to heat, sweeten, and flavor (a beverage, such as wine or cider) with spices,” according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary. But how exactly do you make mulled wine? What is the best wine for mulled wine? And which spices should you use? You know what red wine and white wine are, and how each are processed and vary from each other, but what about mulled wine? If the phrase “spiced wine” comes to mind, you are correct! A popular Christmastime beverage, mulled wine is just as unique as other wines.
