The history of mulled wine and how it became a Christmas favourite
Mulled wine has been around for centuries and its popularity as a Christmas drink only seems to be increasing. But what is the history of this festive tipple?
Mulled wine can trace its origins back to the Romans, who would heat up wine with spices as a way of preserving it. This practice then spread to the rest of Europe, with countries adding their own unique twists to the recipe.
In England, mulled wine really came into its own during the Victorian era. This was the time when Christmas as we know it today started to take shape, with many of the traditions that we now take for granted, such as decorating Christmas trees and exchanging gifts, starting to become popular.
Mulled wine was seen as the perfect drink for this festive season, as it was warming and alcoholic! The Victorians also liked to add a slices of citrus fruit to their mulled wine, which is something that is still done today.
As Christmas became more commercialised in the 20th century, mulled wine started to appear in supermarkets and became more associated with the festive season. Nowadays, it is rare to find a Christmas party that doesn’t serve up a steaming mug of this festive favourite!Click here for info
Mulled wine – a festive favourite
Mulled wine is a winter staple in the UK, and it’s not hard to see why. This spiced, heated red wine is the perfect tipple for cosy nights in or festive parties. But what’s the history behind mulled wine? And how do you make the perfect cup?
Mulled wine has been around for centuries, with the first recorded mention of it in England in 1565. It’s thought to have originated in the Roman Empire, where wine was often spiced and heated as a way of making it last longer. The Roman author Cato even wrote a recipe for spiced wine in the 2nd century BC.
Mulled wine made its way to England in the 16th century, where it was initially known as “mould wine”. It became particularly popular in the Victorian era, when it was often served at Christmas parties.
The key to making a good mulled wine is to not overdo the spices. A traditional recipe will call for cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and orange, but it’s easy to add too much of one spice and throw the whole flavour off balance. A good rule of thumb is to start with just a few cloves and a cinnamon stick, then taste as you go and add more spices if needed.
As for the wine itself, there’s no need to spend a fortune. A basic red wine will work just fine, although some people prefer to use a fruitier wine like Merlot or Rioja. Just make sure it’s not too sweet, as the spices will add plenty of sweetness of their own.
When it comes to heating the wine, there are a few different methods you can use. The simplest is to just pour it into a saucepan and heat it over a low heat, but if you’re feeling fancy you can use a slow cooker or a Bain Marie. Just make sure you don’t let the wine boil, as this will spoil the flavour.
Once your mulled wine is heated through, all that’s left to do is ladle it into glasses and enjoy. If you’re feeling festive, you can add a dash of brandy or rum, or even a shot of espresso for a coffee-flavoured twist. And if you really want to impress your guests, garnish each glass with a cinnamon stick or a slice of orange.
Visit howtomakewinefromgrapes.com to learn more about mulled wine recipe. Disclaimer: We used this website as a reference for this blog post.
