Gluhwein or "Glow Wine"

Not having been a wine drinker until I started making wine, I 've never had to make a mulled wine. This Christmas season, I'm finally going to make and sample some mulled wine or as the Germans call it gluhwein. Gluhwein or "Glow Wine" sounds pretty interesting and I'm looking forward to giving it a try.

I found a couple recipes and fiqured that I would pass them along to you. The first comes from the German Embassy in Washington DC and the second one comes from Virtual Findland.

Enjoy!!!

German Recipe

Germans enjoy Glühwein or "Glow Wine" quite a bit around Christmas and New Year's Day. A favorite place to sip a warming glass is outside at the Christmas market.

(makes 24 glasses)

Ingredients:

2 bottles red wine
1 cup sugar
3 cups water
1 lemon, sliced
20 whole cloves
6 to 8 cinnamon sticks
1 orange, sliced for garnish

Directions:
Mix water, lemon and spices and simmer for an hour. Strain. Heat but do not boil the red wine. Add wine to hot water mixture. Ladle into cups and serve with half a slice of orange.

Finland Recipe

Christmas glögg

1 bottle red wine
2-3 tablespoons Madeira (optional)
1/2 cup raw sugar, or to taste
1/3 cup raisins
1-2 sticks cinnamon
5-6 whole cloves
peelings of 1 orange
1/4 cup blanched, slivered almonds
1/4 cup vodka to spike it up (optional)

In a large kettle, combine all the ingredients except the vodka. Heat slowly, until the drink is steaming hot. Stir every now and then, and taste with a spoon whenever you feel like it. Do not let the drink get even close to boiling. Just keep it warm. Before serving, add vodka if you wish.

Servings: 1 to 6.