Staying Cozy This Winter: Glühwein
Stroll around a Christmas market in Germany and you’d be hard pressed not to try it. The sweet aromas of cinnamon, oranges, and cloves waft through the frosty air. Take a sip, and a warm sensation flows over you. Part holiday spirit, part alcohol. Glühwein, otherwise known as mulled wine, is a classic winter drink of hot and spiced red wine. Topping it off, it’s served with a decorative and delicious orange slice.
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Glühwein has a long history. True to the drink’s festive and indulgent nature, production started in Roman times, around 20 A.D. Later on, during the Middle Ages, Glühwein was all the rage in Europe. The earliest Glühwein tankard found dates back to 1420, owned by Count John IV of Katzenelnbogen. The count is also accredited with the first documentation of the name riesling.
For those interested in making your own Glühwein, there are many good online recipes to follow. For an authentic German recipe, I recommend this one. Beyond the recipe, the biggest decision to make is which wine to choose. Pricewise, it’s best to use an expensive wine, though make sure it tastes good enough on its own!
Choosing a bottle
Any light to medium-bodied red wine that has some nice fruit to it works fine. Because you add sugar to the mix, a dry wine is best. My suggestion would be a spätburgunder (pinot noir) from Pfalz.
If you’re looking for a cheese to go with it, typical pairings would be fondue or blue cheese. The sweetness of the wine is a good match for the bolder blue cheese. On the other hand, a hot and savory fondue complements the fruitiness of this drink as well. Not to mention, fondue is always a crowd pleaser.
Since the Middle Ages, Germany’s love for Glühwein has become an integral part of their charming winter landscape. This festive drink fits right in with the timbered houses and picturesque cobble streets, all blanketed in snow. Thankfully for us Americans, you don’t have to be in Germany to enjoy a cup of Glühwein. Look around your local holiday market for mulled wine, or if you’re feeling adventurous, you can make your own. Cheers!
