Warm, comforting, and full of alcohol, mulled wines have been a popular choice at ski slopes and Christmas markets for years. However, it can be difficult to replicate the taste at home using spice bags and other nonsense.
This year, mulled wine or gluhwein — as the Germans call it — has had a chic makeover courtesy of some sophisticated winemakers.
James Reed, a wine expert at Cadman Fine Wines, says: ‘Mulled wine is now following the premium trend. However, it’s worth noting that Christmas is gloriously tacky so I don’t think all mulled wine will get too posh.’
Here are some top tipples we tested. . .
SUPER SPICED
Shop Cuvée Mulled Wine, £16.99, shopcuvee.com
Giulia Crouch gives verdict on a selection of ready made mulled wines available in the UK – including Shop Cuvée Mulled Wine
What is it? Modesty is a virtue, but this bottle, which calls itself the ‘world’s first delicious mulled wine’, doesn’t care. Released last year, it sets the drinker’s expectations high. It’s attractive. I also love the red wax seal.
TASTES LIKE THIS: Opening the bottle, you get a fragrant, warm mix of spicy notes — nutmeg and star anise with highlights of citrus. It fills your kitchen with comforting, pleasant scents as it warms. I’m a huge fan of the taste. The taste is not as sweet and sour as many people think. It is sophisticated and delicate. This is an absolute must-see.4/5
POSH PLONK
Harvey Nichols Mulled Wine, £16.50, harveynichols.com
Giulia said Harvey Nichols Mulled Wine (pictured) is punchy and has a medicinal quality, but the slightly bitter edge is enjoyable
What is it?This limited edition is made with wine from Germany’s Zellertal Rheinhessen-Pfalz region. This wine is among the most expensive on my list so I was expecting it to be the best.
TASTES LIKE THIS: It’s so sharp my friend says that she can feel the steam stinging the inside of her nose as she takes a whiff. After tasting, she pulls a face as if she’s been pinched and complains: ‘It’s burning the back of my throat.’
Not the best review, but I don’t hate it. It’s punchy and has a medicinal quality, but I enjoy the acidic, even slightly bitter edge. You could temper it with a slice or orange. If you’re after a traditional taste, this isn’t for you, but if you’d like to try something different and you don’t have a sweet tooth, give it a go. 3/5
TOAST TO TRADITION
Daylesford Mulled Wine, £12.50, daylesford.com
Giulia said Daylesford Mulled Wine (pictured) has a soft, sweet juiciness to it and tastes like blackcurrants and blueberries
What is it?This is the new Spanish wine, mulled in Devon this year by Daylesford Organic. Daylesford Organic counts Prime Minister Boris Johnson as one of its many fans.
TASTES LIKE THIS:It has soft and sweet flavors and is similar to blueberries and blackcurrants. It’s the most mellow and fruity of the lot and tastes more diluted, with hints of orange juice. It’s dangerously easy to drink and pairs perfectly with smoky, spicy nuts also sold by Daylesford. This drink balances clove, star anise cinnamon, nutmeg, and nutmeg perfectly. It is a lovely beverage.4/5
CHEERS to HOT CIDER
Fortnum & Mason Mulled Cider with English Cassis, £7.50, fortnumandmason.com
Giulia said Fortnum & Mason Mulled Cider with English Cassis (pictured) is fruity and fresh
What is it? A high-class mulled cider made by the Queen’s grocer. Although I hail from the West Country and love cider, this particular one is exceptional, as it is blended with cassis, a blackcurrant-liqueur.
TASTES LIKE THIS: It’s so fruity and fresh, you feel like you’re biting into the crispest, juiciest apple. Once again it’s not too sweet and is pleasingly peppered with hints of ginger, licorice and cinnamon.
It’s like hot, delicious apple juice and, similar to the Daylesford wine, goes down with worrying ease. But at only 4.6 ABV it’s less boozy than mulled wine, which means I can have another glass.5/5
CHRISTMAS IN A CUP
Ableforth’s Winter Mulled Cup Liqueur, £27.70, ableforths.com
Giulia said Ableforth’s Winter Mulled Cup Liqueur (pictured) is deliciously fragrant and makes even the cheapest bottle of wine taste like Christmas in a cup
What is it?This warming blend of port, cognac, and festive spices is a warm one. This spice bag is designed to be mixed with a red wine bottle. However if, like me, you’re not a label reader, you may whack it all in the pan at once. I was fortunate to be able funnel the liquid back into the bottle so that it could be used again.
TASTES LIKE THIS: This one smells absolutely, intoxicatingly phenomenal — like the best spiced rum ever, with a heady mix of lemon, vanilla, cloves, cinnamon and port.
It’s more faffy than the others as you have to prepare it, but it’s worth the effort. It is fragrant, making even the most expensive wine feel like Christmas in one cup. This is a unique blend of cold-distilled orange, lemon peel and fresh root ginger. 5/5