What is mulled wine?  

Mulled wine is a popular, hot winter drink across Europe. It’s typically made by adding spices and other aromatic ingredients to red wine and warming it through.  

From the Christmas markets of central Europe to the fire-lit homes of Scandinavia, every culture brings its twist to the flavours and styles of this classic drink.

Does the red wine you choose really matter?  

Every good mulled wine has one thing in common: a great base wine.

It may be tempting to grab a cheap bottle… after all, you’re just adding spices and heating it, so why waste a good one? But the variety of wine does matter, especially when it comes to flavour.  

And, ultimately, the better the red wine, the better the mulled wine.  

Mulled wine is a rich drink, so you’ll need a robust red. Look for a super smooth, medium- or full-bodied variety with some bright acidity so the warmth doesn’t overwhelm the flavours. You’ll also want flavours that suit this time of year – think red berries, plum, baking spices, vanilla, chocolate and dried herbs.

Merlot

Known for its easy-going character, soft tannins and balanced acidity, this juicy red is the perfect base for a great mulled wine. The plum and cherry flavours, hints of chocolate and vanilla pair brilliantly with cinnamon, orange mulling spices and clove.

Top tip: look out for Merlots from Chile, Spain or Australia – they offer top value and over-deliver on ripe flavour. Shop all Merlot wines.

Shiraz  

Rich and full-bodied with a peppery kick, Shiraz adds extra layers of complexity to mulled wine. It has dark fruit flavours of blueberry, black plum and chocolate, yet still had a bright acidity to balance the spices.

Grenache

Grenache is a versatile option for mulling. Often found in southern-French blends like Châteauneuf-du-Pape, it also produces fruity, flavour-packed solo wines. In fact, Grenache already has wonderful spiced aromas, with flavours of raisin, cherry and redcurrant, and subtle peppery undertones that make it perfect for mulled wine.

Top tip: you can’t go wrong with choosing a single-varietal French Grenache.

Zinfandel  

Zinfandel is another great choice for mulling – it’s medium-bodied, with intense, jammy fruit flavours, balanced with hints of spice and anise. Zinfandel comes in both dry and sweet styles, so you can choose a wine that suits your palate.

Expert Picks – Best Reds for mulled wine

Explore some of our most popular wines, perfect as a base for mulling:

1. Caravan Merlot – a silky, fruity, oak-aged Aussie Merlot with rich dark berry fruits.
2. Don Cayetano Merlot – superb, juicy-fruit Merlot from a four-time ‘Chilean Winery of the Year’ winner.
3. Babele Merlot – great-value Romanian Merlot that sings with spiced plum, vanilla toffee and pepper.
4. Pattes Noires Merlot – luscious, ripe and juicy with black and red fruits and soft tobacco spice.
5.  The Black Stump – our all-time No.1 bestselling red. Super-charged and packed with ripe velvety fruit layered with spice.
6. RedHeads Shiraz – lush with spicy blackcurrant fruit and smoky liquorice notes.
7. Hacienda de Lluna Syrah – gorgeously smooth, with supple blackberry fruit and a touch of authentic Spanish spice.
8. Black Saint Peter Zinfandel – top-notch, old-vine wine with cherry and soft berry fruits and chocolatey notes.
9. Cabalié – our most re-ordered red – a smooth, richly spiced, Grenache-charged gem.
10. Le XV du Président – richly textured, with layers of ripe bramble fruit and soft tannins.  

And, if you’re looking for an alcohol-free alternative, we’ve got just the thing … warm up this winter with alcohol-free mulled wine.

How to make mulled wine

Tasty, full-proof and comes together in just 20 minutes – making mulled wine couldn’t be easier.

What you'll need: 

• 750ml bottle of red wine (see our expert picks below!)
• 75ml orange liqueur or ginger wine (optional)
• 1 large cinnamon stick
• 2 star anise
• 4 cloves
• 1 fresh orange, sliced
• 4 tbsp caster sugar
• Fresh cranberries for garnish (optional)

Our simple mulled wine-making method:

1. Take a large saucepan and add the wine, extra liqueur, sugar, cinnamon stick, star anise, cloves and orange slices.
2. Stir gently.
3. Turn on the hob to medium-high and bring to a simmer, not a boil.
4. Reduce the heat to low, partially cover the pod with a lid, and gently simmer for 10-15 minutes.
5. Remove from the heat and leave to cool for 5-10 minutes.
6. Ladle into mugs or heat-resistant glasses.
7. Garnish with juicy cranberries and enjoy.