Warm up with Mulled Wine
Mulled wine is the vine’s version of a classic hot toddy.  With the weather turning colder, a toasty cup of mulled wine can be perfect to take the edge off a cool winter’s evening or to offer guests throughout the holidays.

Mulled wine is wine, usually red, which has been combined with spices, sweetened and then heated before serving. It serves as a great alternative to traditional coffees, ciders and teas, and is a traditional holiday treat in many Old World countries.

To make mulled wine select a dry red wine, such as a Burgundy, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel or Merlot.  Because you’ll be adding spices, fruit and sweetener, as well as other ingredients, there’s really no need to choose an expensive wine.

For each bottle of red wine gather 3 to 4 cinnamon sticks, 30 cloves, 20 allspice berries, 3 cardamom pods and 1 tsp of orange peel or mixed peel (which can often be found in the baking section of your local supermarket).  Combine these ingredients into a sachet.  Use a 6 inch square of cheese cloth or muslin, or try a coffee filter or empty teabag if need be.  Tie the sachet with plain cotton thread, preferably white. 

To prepare the mulled wine combine the spice sachet, 3 tbsp of sugar and the 750 ml bottle of red wine in a saucepan.  You can also slice an orange into the saucepan as well.  Bring to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes.  Ladle into mugs and serve hot.  You can also garnished with an orange slice if you’d like.  To give it a bit of kick, add some brandy.  For an extra special touch, rim the glass or mug with raw sugar or a vanilla cocktail rimmer.

If you’re serving mulled wine to guests, why not send them home with a treat?  Make extra spice sachets, and tie them with a festive ribbon.  Just remember to remind your guests to remove the decorative ribbon before throwing it in the saucepan!