Are you making Mulled Wine this holiday season and can’t figure out what bottle of wine to grab? Look no further! We are here to break it down for you so you can enjoy with no fuss.
What kind of wine?
Medium Bodied Red Wine
A medium-bodied red wine is the wine you want to opt for when making Mulled Wine. If you choose a lighter bodied red wine, the spices and liquor (Brandy, Orange Liqueur) you add will likely overpower the flavors from the red wine. On the other hand, a full-bodied red wine will be too intense and likely overpower the fun additions added in a Mulled Wine (oranges, cranberries, cinnamon, cloves, etc.).
Fruity & Juicy
Make sure your wine is fruity, juicy, and bursting with flavor. This is important when making Mulled Wine since you want the flavors to stay expressive even when heated and mixed with spices. This will help prevent the cocktail from tasting dull. The bright fruit notes also will help balance the mix of sweetness, citrus, and spice.
What Varietals?
Beaujolais
About Beaujolais
Beaujolais is an unusual grape variety because it rose to global popularity even though the wine is made from Gamay, which comes almost exclusively from one region, Beaujolais. Beaujolais has low to medium tannins, high acidity, and red fruit flavors (raspberry, red cherry, red plum). Beaujolais is usually made in inert vessels and rarely displays oak aromas.
Why it works in Mulled Wine
Beaujolais is a beautiful option for Mulled Wine because it is very bright and juicy with bursting red fruit flavors. Since it has low tannins and a silky body, it stays smooth and aromatic even when warmed with spices.
Grenache
About Grenache
This grape variety is thought to have evolved in Spain where it is called Garnacha. From there it spread through the south of France and into the Rhone Valley. Once in France, its name changed to Grenache. It is a thin-skinned grape variety; however, it needs a warm climate to ripen successfully. Grenache is typically low to medium in tannins and has red fruit flavors (strawberry, red plum, red cherry) and sometimes spice (white pepper, liquorice).
Why it works in Mulled Wine
Grenache makes great Mulled Wine because its juicy red-fruit flavors, soft tannins, and naturally warm spice character stay vibrant and smooth when heated with cinnamon, clove, and citrus. Its medium body and higher alcohol give the drink a cozy richness.
Merlot
About Merlot
Merlot is a black grape variety that grows best in moderate to warm climates. A single-varietal Merlot is typically a dry wine with medium acidity and medium tannins. Just ripe Merlot grapes produce light to medium bodied wines with fresh red fruit flavors (strawberry, red plum) and herbaceous notes (green bell pepper).
Why it works in Mulled Wine
Merlot is a perfect addition to Mulled Wine because it is a medium-bodied wine with very fresh fruit flavors. Merlot is also known for having nice, round tannins, which make it seamlessly fit into a cocktail.
Syrah
About Syrah
Syrah is a thick-skinned grape with small grapes that is known to be medium bodied with fresh black fruit flavors (black cherry, blackberry), herbal notes, and its characteristic black pepper aromas.
Why it works in Mulled Wine
If you want a Mulled Wine with slightly more punch, grab your favorite Syrah. Syrah has bold dark fruit flavors that help create a rich base that stands up beautifully to the spices. The herbal and black pepper notes in the wine also blend seamlessly with the spices added such as cinnamon, clove, and star anise.
Wine Recommendations?
Jaboulet Parallèle 45 Côtes-du-Rhône Rouge ($17)
A majority blend of Grenache and Syrah with a touch of Carignan and Mourvèdre, this is the perfect fruit-forward, medium-bodied wine for Mulled Wine. It has notes of strawberry, red currant, peony, and dried roses.
Louis Jadot Beaujolais-Villages ($17)
Made from 100% Gamay, this crisp, fruit-forward, juicy wine has expressive aromas and flavors of ripe red berries. This is a medium-bodied wine available at most major retailers that is a perfect addition to Mulled Wine.
Bollini Merlot Trentino DOC ($20)
Bollini Merlot has fragrant flavors of wild berries integrated with subtle spice and a mellow, medium body. Subtle, earthy, herbal notes supported by integrated tannins carry into the finish. Subtle spices in this Merlot is perfect to bring out the spices in Mulled Wine.
Montes Alpha Syrah ($25)
From the first winery to plant Syrah in Chile, this wine is very expressive with aromas of ripe blackberries, figs, crème de cassis, and hints of leather and dark chocolate. The palate is well balanced with bright acidity, smooth tannins, ample structure, and generous volume – a great companion for Mulled Wine.
St. Francis Sonoma County Merlot ($26)
Rich aromas and flavors of dark, crushed berries, cassis, ripe plum and bittersweet chocolate are balanced with good acidity and a long, spicy finish. The spices and berries bring out the flavors in your classic Mulled Wine.
