Mulled wine has a rich history that dates back to the Roman Empire.  As the Romans expanded into colder regions of Europe, they sought ways to warm themselves during the winter months. Heating wine and spicing it with ingredients like cloves, cinnamon, and honey made it a comforting beverage and helped preserve the wine and mask imperfections (wine in the Roman Empire times was nowhere near as good quality as it is now). Over the centuries, mulled wine has become a holiday staple in many countries, celebrated in Christmas markets (like the Vancouver Christmas Market in downtown Vancouver) and festive gatherings. The tradition of adding local spices and fruits has made each version unique to its region, carrying the warmth and spirit of the season.

A Mulled Wine Recipe to Warm Your Winter Nights

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle of medium-bodied red wine (suggested: Hester Creek Select Vineyards Merlot 2019, Okanagan Valley)

• 1/4 cup sugar or honey

• 2 cinnamon sticks

• 4 whole cloves

• 2 star anise

• Zest of 1 orange

• Optional: orange slices and cinnamon sticks for garnish

Instructions:

1. Pour the wine into a medium-sized pot.

2. Add sugar (or honey), cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, and orange zest to the pot.

3. Heat the mixture over low heat for about 20 minutes. Avoid boiling to preserve the wine’s flavour.

4. Strain the wine to remove the spices and zest.

5. Serve warm in mugs, garnished with an orange slice or a cinnamon stick, if desired.

Hester Creek’s Merlot’s soft tannins and notes of plum and spice harmonize beautifully with the added flavours. 

If this sounds like too much work for you, Okanagan Crush Pad has a bagged Narrative Mulled Wine you can buy. I think it is currently only available at the winery, but should be coming out to local wine shops soon.  All you need to do is pour the wine in a cup or small pot and warm it up.  Enjoy either way!

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