Delicious mulled wine you can make at home

Nothing best describes Christmas in a glass, like mulled wine. Steeped in tradition, this seasonal staple has origins stretching as far back to the time of the Ancient Greeks and Romans. Now hallmarks of this classic treat, herbs and spices were originally added to mask the taste of unpalatable wine. Luckily, as winemakers have perfected their art, wines these days don’t need their flavours masked with a gamut of spices. However, the tradition of mulled wine has withstood the test of time – something we’re incredibly thankful for.

So loved is mulled wine, that the tradition permeates across a raft of countries and cultures around the world. In Germany it's called Glühwein and is occasionally made with fruit wine; head north to Scandinavia and you'll find Glögg, which is usually served with a homemade spiced biscuit or cake; and in Quebec they mix in maple syrup and hard liquor and call it Caribou. Now a global phenomenon, iterations of mulled wine can include everything from red and white wines, to sangria blends and those calling for vermouth and port.

Remember, when you’re shopping for plonk for your scrumptious holiday treat, look for a big, bold, and full-bodied red – think Syrah and Malbec. Delicate wines with nuanced flavours, such as Pinot Noir and Tempranillo, will be overpowered by the punchy spices in the mulling process.

So, now you’ve got the background, it’s time to whip yourself up a steaming mug of mulled wine.

Ingredients
2 bottles of red wine
2 shots of port
2 oranges cut into 5 segments and stuffed with cloves
1 lemon (peel only)
1 cinnamon stick
1 teaspoon of nutmeg
5 cloves
5 cardamom pods
2-5 tablespoons of brown sugar

Method
Heat all the ingredients in a pan on a gentle heat for 20 minutes. This will allow the spices to infuse into the wine; but remember, don’t let the liquid come to a boil as this will leave behind a bitter taste. Plus, it’ll mean the alcohol in the wine will boil away. Slow and steady is the way to go.

Once the mulled wine is warm – not piping hot – strain the mixture and pour it into a jug ready to serve.