Mulled Wine: A German Tradition to Warm Winter Evenings (2024)

FAQs

Is mulled wine a German tradition? ›

It is a traditional drink during winter, especially around Christmas. It is usually served at Christmas markets in Europe, primarily in Germany, Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary, Romania, Nordics, Baltics and eastern France. There are non-alcoholic versions of it.

The German name for mulled wine, Glühwein, translates to “glow wine,” and there's nothing better than this traditional drink to make you glow with warmth on a cold night.

Mulled wine originated in the 2nd century. It was created by the Romans who would heat wine to defend their bodies against the cold winter. As the Romans conquered much of Europe throughout the next century, their love for mulled wine spread across their empire and the regions they traded with.

This drink is consumed enormously in Scandinavian countries, particularly in Sweden and Denmark, where it is called Glögg and Gløgg respectively (terms meaning "mulled wine" in each language). In Germany, as in most Germanic countries, it is mainly consumed under the name Glühwein.

Mulled wine goes by many names—spiced wine, hot wine, glögg, glühwein, and vin chaud are a few I hear used interchangeably.

Blue cheese is ideal with a heavily spiced mulled wine, and we think you'll also love it paired with Stilton, Gorgonzola, aged Cheddar, or the creamy, nutty and subtly sweet style of Gruyère or Emmental cheeses.

Considering all this beer business, you'd think that beer is the most popular beverage in Germany but it's not. Because the most popular drink in this country is Mineral Water or Mineral Wasser.

In Germany, ginger is also often brewed into a tea - cut into cubes and plopped into boiling water. The stinging effect it has as it slides down your throat is said to relieve soreness brought on by a cold.

Glühwein, as mulled wine is known in Germany, is essentially red wine heated with spices, lemon and sugar - generally cinnamon and cloves are used in all recipes, with some adding aniseed or vanilla. A variation on the mulled wine is the Feuerzangenbowle.

The red wine base in mulled wine brings its own set of health benefits. Resveratrol is associated with heart health benefits and may help protect the lining of blood vessels, lower bad cholesterol levels, and prevent blood clots. When consumed in moderation, red wine has been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease.

What is an interesting fact about mulled wine? ›

It was first popular along the Romans, who would drink hot spiced wine in the winter. As the Roman Empire spread across Europe, so did its partiality for hot red wine. People added different herbs and spices for sweetness, to make bad quality wine taste better, and because they believed in their health benefits.

Yes. Even though the spiced wine is heated, most of the alcohol remains.

With the influx of European immigrants, mulled wine, especially the Christmas aspects, became embedded in American culture. It can also be found in South America. Vin Brule; is the name for Italian mulled wine.

Mulled wine still has a high alcohol and sugar content, so you should be aware of how much you're consuming. 'People often think that because it's been heated it's less alcoholic, but only a small amount actually evaporates,' explains Dr Lee.

Hailed as the world's most expensive, it costs £10 more than last year's bankrupter - the £50 Mayfair Mulled Wine from Hush in west London. The so-called Cinnamoney Spiced Wine's unique ingredients include a premium Bordeaux, a fine Champagne, a Normandie 'cidre' and a dessert wine.

Drinking songs, known as “Trinklieder” in German, have a long history and are often sung in a group, fostering a sense of togetherness and camaraderie. These songs come in a variety of forms, from traditional folk tunes to rowdy drinking anthems. They celebrate the joys of friendship, love, and, of course, beer.

The wine festival is held annually on the second and third weekend of September in Bad Dürkheim. The first Wurstmarkt – under a different name – was held in the year 1417.

Winemaking in Germany focuses on pure fruit flavors, which is why most German wines are sweeter and have more fruit notes than other wines. But with changing flavor preferences, German growers and producers are expanding to drier wines. Germany's climate is cooler than many wine-producing regions.