Definition: mulled wine

For winter evenings, it is mainly drunk during the Christmas period, but mulled wine will brighten up your moments with friends on these winter days.

Originally from northern countries, mulled wine is now consumed almost everywhere, like sangria, its alter ego. Everyone has their own recipe, sometimes passed down through generations. When it is prepared, the air is filled with aromas of cinnamon, cloves, fruit, citrus and gingerbread. But how important is the wine in the mixture? It is not advisable to use a Barolo or a Burgundy, for reasons of price: you would only end up with an expensive mulled wine to which the nectar of Bacchus, despite its cost, would add nothing more. To make a good Glühwein, it is best to choose a full-bodied wine, because while the right blend of ingredients is essential, consistency is also important. A light wine would need to boil for longer to achieve the desired density. But novice cooks need not worry: Coop, for example, comes to the rescue with its ready-to-use mulled wine, which you simply heat up before enjoying in good company.
Andrea Conconi - link: www.coop.ch

Mulled wine - Appearances can be deceiving! Mulled wine is still an extraordinary drink. Spiced wine creates feelings of well-being and serenity. However, mulled wine should not be brought to the boil, as this can produce hydroxymethylfurfural, a sugar degradation substance that is harmful to health. There is also mulled wine made from white wine. However, this is less common in our region. Taking a sip of mulled wine in freezing cold weather immediately gives us a pleasant feeling of warmth. However, appearances can be deceiving. The alcohol in mulled wine (approx. 7-9%) dilates the blood vessels, increasing blood flow to the surface of the skin. This leads to increased heat loss. The feeling of warmth quickly disappears and you end up feeling colder than before. This phenomenon applies to all alcoholic beverages, especially strong spirits.

Source: Coopération No. 3, 15 January 2008 - page 23