Whether it cures a cold or simply warms you up on a cold day, mulled wine is a winter must. And who said it can't be done and offered at home too? Here is a brief history and recipe for mulled wine.
The image of mulled wine is accompanied by that of friends, of Christmas markets, of winter holidays, of snow. This is also why mulled wine is associated with sensations that warm the heart.
Here is a short story and a recipe - because yes, mulled wine can be made at home, with as many ingredients as your imagination allows.
What is mulled wine?
It is a hot wine-based drink , spiced and flavoured. It is offered in winter to cope with the cold.
Where does the name "mulled wine" come from?
Mulled wine comes from the French Ça brûle , meaning “Burn”. Today, in France, mulled wine is called vin chaud , in Germany Glühwein , in the UK and United States mulled or spiced wine .
When did people start drinking mulled wine?
Flavored wine has been drunk since ancient times , certainly by the Greeks and Romans who sweetened the wine with sugar and flavored it with pepper, saffron, dates, thyme, other herbs and spices. And they drank it cold.
In modern times the tradition of drinking flavored wine - this time hot - is very Nordic , typical of cold countries such as Sweden, Germany and Great Britain.
Obviously there is also a lot of drinking in Italy , especially in the North and especially in Trentino Alto Adige.
Is mulled wine alcoholic?
Yes. How alcoholic mulled wine is depends on the duration and temperature of cooking , during which the alcohol tends to evaporate. In the Italian tradition, mulled wine loses most of its alcohol content, while in the Anglo-Saxon tradition (UK and US) mulled wine is corrected by adding more wine, brandy or other spirits.
What wine is mulled wine made with?
The premise is that the quality of the starting wine is reflected in the final product.
The choice of typology is clearly very free, and the territory reigns supreme. In Veneto, mulled wine is prepared with cabernet sauvignon but also with the whites chardonnay , sauvignon blanc and pinot blanc . In Romagna S Angiovese is widely used, Lambrusco in Emilia . In Alto Adige, schiava and pinot noir are widely adopted. In Piedmont : Nebbiolo or Barbera .
What goes with mulled wine?
The golden rule of pairings is always the same: sweet wine goes well with desserts.
Pair mulled wine with dry pastries , desserts of any type, including chocolate-based ones, roasted chestnuts ...
How is mulled wine made?
Normally red wine is used but it is always possible to use white wine, especially adopted in the Alpine area.
🍹 Put the wine to heat.
🍹 Add brown sugar and spices to taste (cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, nutmeg, anise, cardamom...).
🍹 If you like, add lemon peel, a few segments of mandarin or orange, apple slices, bay leaf... All ideally organically produced.
🍹 Remove from heat after 5-10 minutes.
🍹 Bring a match close to the hot wine, so the surface will begin to flame allowing the alcohol to evaporate. And it will make a scene.
🍹 Filter and serve hot.
