Mulled Wine for the Holidays
Mulled Wine is cooked with warm, inviting spices that make the whole house smell like the holidays. 
Have you guys been as busy as I have over the last couple of week? I feel like from around the middle of November until just after the beginning of the new year it is nonstop go, go, GO! At this point most of my shopping is done (if I could just stop going back and buying one last thing!) and I even wrapped the majority of my gifts! I’m pretty impressed with that ;). My Christmas cards are in the mail and my baking…well the Christmas baking never really ends. Last weekend I managed to put everything else aside long enough to decorate the Christmas tree with the family and we had such a fun time!
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Gallo Family Vineyards. All opinions are 100% mine.
We pulled out all of our decorations and spent the afternoon filling the tree with shiny red balls, and fun ornaments that each had a special memory attached. It was a whirlwind and when it was done my husband pronounced that Christmas had thrown up in our house…and I love it! 😉
My parents live just down the street and about halfway through they stopped by. As often happens around the holidays, our afternoon turned into an evening of holiday cooking, baking, and decorating. I’m not complaining, I love last minute guests and cooking for the family with my mom in the kitchen! I think the key to spontaneous holiday hosting is having a few great recipes that are really easy and everyone loves. One of my favorites for the grown-ups is Mulled Wine.
Have you ever made mulled wine? It’s a delicious mix of red wine, warm, rich spices and a little something sweet. Mine always starts with Gallo Family Vineyard Wines Cabernet Sauvignon. It is a full-bodied red wine with the rich flavor of blackberry and black currant that goes perfectly with spices like cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, star and anise. I add a little brandy to mine too and sweeten it with honey, oranges, and apples. Gallo Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon is great for making mulled wine because it comes in a 1.5L bottle so I have plenty for all of those unexpected holiday guests!
All of the ingredients go into a saucepan and everything cooks until all of the flavors have melded. It makes the house smell heavenly and when it is done the adults can sip on warm mulled wine while everyone enjoys a few Christmas cookies. It’s so simple but is such a nice added touch during the holidays.
Mulled Wine
Ingredients
- 1 1.5 Liter bottle Gallo Cabernet Sauvignon
- 1/2 cup Brandy
- 1/2 cup Honey
- 2 Oranges, juiced (**Save Peel for garnish)
- 10 Cloves, whole
- 4 Green cardamom pods
- 4 Cinnamon sticks
- 2 Star anise, whole
- 1 cup Cranberries, fresh or frozen for garnish
- 1 Apple, thinly sliced for garnish
Instructions
- Combine honey, orange juice, and spices in a sauce pan. Stir together and bring to a quick boil.
- Reduce heat to low. Add wine and brandy. Let simmer for 20 mins.
- Pour into mugs, garnish and enjoy!
Nutrition
If you want to learn more about Gallo Family Vineyards you could follow them on the Gallo Family Vineyards Facebook page and check out their store locator to see where to buy Gallo Family Vineyards wines in your area. What little holiday entertaining tips do you have that keep hosting friends and family fun? 
