Mulled Wine

Fruity, spicy and oh so Christmassy, mulled wine may be more traditional in the Northern Hemisphere where the festive season is much colder and more suited to the warm festive beverage. But we recommend you try a glass or two later on Christmas Eve, once all the presents are wrapped and the kids are tucked up in bed, or at the end of the Christmas day when you finally get to put your feet up. You won’t regret it. There are a few unoaked soft and fruity red wines available in New Zealand including Cleanskins Australian Shiraz and Old Fat Unicorm Pinot Noir from South Australia that won’t break the bank, both are available at vineonline.co.nz where you can search for unoaked varietals.

5 minutes to prepare | 20-25 minutes to combine and heat 

Ingredients:

  • 2 unwaxed oranges
  • Peel of one lemon
  • 150 grams of caster sugar
  • 5 cloves, plus a few extra for garnishing
  • 5 bruised cardamom pods
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • A pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
  • 2 bottles of fruity, unoaked red wine

Instructions:

  1. Place a large saucepan on the stovetop. Add the juice of one orange along with the lemon peel, sugar and spices. Add enough wine to just cover the sugar, and heat gently until the sugar has dissolved, stirring occasionally
  2. Bring everything to the boil and cook for 5-8 minutes until you have a deliciously thick syrup.
  3. Turn down the heat and add the remaining wine to the saucepan, stirring through.
  4. Gently heat the aromatic wine mixture before serving in glasses with orange segments and cloves as garnish.

RECIPE FROM AGA AND FALCON.

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