The heady aroma of spiced wine is a common scent on a cold winter's day. Popular in Europe, hot spiced wine, also called mulled wine, is a traditional drink that has been consumed since the beginning of wine's history. A variety of spices are added, depending on the region where the wine is from, and usually red wine is used, though fruit wines may also be consumed. Ranging in usage of spices and wine used, hot spiced wine drinks are a way of warming up during cold winter months.
Glogg
Glogg was recorded as first being consumed during King Gustav I Vasa of Sweden's reign. The drink soon spread throughout Nordic countries including Iceland, Norway and Estonia. While red wine is usually used, other wines are also incorporated, or even harder spirits such as brandy. The usual ingredients are sugar, spices, cardamom, ginger, cloves, cinnamon and bitter orange. In Scandinavia and Norway, there are often glogg based parties with accompanying traditional Christmas breads and treats.
British Mulled Wine
When the Romans entered in to Britain, hippocras, or mulled wine, soon followed. The Brits have been enjoying this drink for centuries. Traditionally, red wine is used, with water, sugar, nutmeg, mace, cinnamon and cloves. Port and claret are the most common types of wine used, as they are sweeter and thicker,.
Navegado
Navegado, meaning that 10 glasses of the mulled wine incapacitate an individual, is a Chilean hot wine, brought over by conquistadors and other European settlers. The mix usually consists of red wine, sugar, cinnamon sticks, allspice and cloves. However, two oranges are usually also added, making navegado the most citrusy out of all the mulled wines. Almonds and raisins can also be added to make the mixture sweeter and nuttier.
Gluhwein
Popular in Germany and Alsace, this hot spiced wine has been consumed in the area since around early 1400s. Similar varieties are consumed in Serbia, Poland, Bulgaria, Moldova, Croatia and Latvia, though under different names. Usually with a base of red wine, many German stores sell tiny sachets of the spices to be boiled in it. The drink is most popular at Christkindlmarkts, or Christmas markets, that happen during the Christmas season. Though with no standard recipe, the main basis for the drink is red wine, half a lemon, cloves, sugar and one cardamon pod, simmered together.
Tags: wine used, mulled wine, also added, been consumed, cold winter, spiced wine, spiced wine
