“We are the true champions” – well, if mulled wine spices can only speak, this would be their bold claim.  Mulled wine could be the final product but of course, without the contribution of right ingredients, grandness could lead to disaster and gradually, frustration.

This article will tell you what these mulled wine spices are, what are the appropriate red wine selections for them, how are they known in some other nations and what really are the secrets on achieving a rewarding outcome.

Top Mulled Wine Spices

Below is the list of the popular choices of spices which make mulled wine an everybody’s favorite, especially during the winter seasons.

• Cloves

Cloves are dried flowers buds that are popularly used all over the world’s cuisine. Cloves also have medicinal functions, can be used to numb pain, calm the stomach and they also contain antimicrobial effects.

• Cinnamon and cassia

There are two types of cinnamon, namely; true cinnamon and cassia.  Both can be used in cakes, curries and mulled wine.  Although cassia has a stronger taste than true cinnamon, a lot of people use it frequently as compared with the latter.

• Star anise

Star anise was used in making an antiviral drug that has become popular during the prevalence of swine flu.  Throughout the epidemic, the supplies of star anise plummeted while its cost went up.  Star anise does not only serve the medicine world but the cooking domain as well.  In Chinese and Indian cuisines, star anise can always be found.  Its essential oils contain an antimicrobial effect and can be used in herbal teas to give warmth.

• Vanilla

Vanilla is generally used in a variety of desserts, confectioneries and ice cream. But because of its genuine flavor, it contributes a lot as mulled wine ingredient.

• Pimento seeds or Jamaican pepper

Pimento seed is also commonly known as Allspice because it has a flavor that is similar with other typical spices like cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon.  It is popular in Caribbean cuisines because it can be used for a number of dishes.

• Nutmeg

Nutmeg has been one of the top choices for different cuisines around the world – India, Greece, Portugal, Middle East and Europe.  Other than mulled mine, nutmeg can be used for brandy snaps and ginger crackers.

• Orange

Orange’s peel is commonly used in mulled wine because it is rich in dietary fiber and does not have cholesterol and also a good source of Ascorbic acid.

Mulled wine spices are really the key to making mulled wine incredible!

Mulled Wine Spices – Different Names and Recipes from Different Countries

The idea of mulled wine is similar for different nations although of course, their choice of spices differs somehow.  Check what are the other names of mulled wine from different countries and discover as well their secret recipes.

• Vin Chaud of France

It is also known as ‘hot wine’ that contains cheap red wine, sugar, cinnamon and lemon.

• Greyano Vino of Bulgaria

Commonly known as ‘heated wine’ with ingredients namely; red wine, peppercorn, honey, apples or lemon or oranges

• Kuhano Vino of Montenegro, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia

It is typically known as ‘cooked wine’.  Recipes include red wine, cloves, sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, lemon or orange.

• Izvar of Moldova

It usually consists of red wine, honey as well as black pepper.

• Vin Fiert of Romania

This version of ‘boiled wine’ usually consists of red or white wine mixed with cinnamon, sugar as well as apple and orange.

• Sicak Sarap of Turkey

Known as ‘hot wine’ by the Turks, Sicak Sarp is made using red wine, lemon and orange as well as sugar.

• Vinho Quente of Brazil

Its other name is Quentão or ‘hot wine’ which consists of red wine, cloves and cinnamon.

Well, those were the ‘nicknames’ of mulled wine from different parts of this world.  Not only their names are unique but the mulled wine spices also that they have in each nation.

Mulled Wine Spices – Top Wine Choices for Mulling

Although we know that your guest will not identify if you used expensive or cheap wine for mulling, there are still some preferred choices of red wine that give amazing results and examples of them are the few ones below.

• Chianti

Chianti is a red wine that originated from Tuscany in Italy and gives a very notable result when mulled.  There are different varieties of flavors available although the common ones are almonds, cherry, coffee and spice.

• Red Zinfandel

Zinfandel grape came from Croatia although it grows in California vineyards.  It was originally known as ‘primitivo’ before Italy and Rome made it popular and became one of the choices for mulling.

• Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet is one of the well-known red wine selections around the world not just for mulling but because it adapts to different climates as well.  It is also identified for the richness of its flavor.

• Trempanillo

Winemakers from inside and outside of Spain pick Trempanillo grape to produce their masterpiece as well as mulled wine product.

So if you want to have a perfect mulled wine outcome, then mix the ideal red wine selections with the ideal mulled wine spices and you will definitely enjoy your drink!

Mulled Wine Spices – Two Things to Remember!

There’s a lot of how-to-make-wine tips that can be found but some of them do not mention the real secrets to avoid not-so-good taste of mulled wine.  Just remember the two important items when it comes to wine mulling.

1. Do not use too much dark red wine for mulling.
2. Pick wines with high acidity.

Learning about mulled wine spices is a good thing but learning the secrets behind different aromas and effects of these wines feel a lot better!

If you got tons of idea on mulled wine spices, then share this article with your colleagues and be an instant pro and we also encourage that you say something on the comment section!