Mulled wine is wine heated and spiced, typically with cinnamon, cloves, star anise and citrus, and often lightly sweetened, then served warm. Its roots trace back to spiced wine drinks of the Roman era, and heating and spicing wine remained a common practice through medieval Europe, partly to make lower quality wine more palatable and partly for its perceived warming and medicinal qualities in cold weather. Mulled wine is strongly associated today with winter and Christmas markets across Germany, where it is known as Gluhwein, and much of the rest of Europe, where regional versions carry their own names and spice blends, commonly sold from outdoor stalls in the colder months.
Facts
Partially Attested
Origin RegionSource ties the earliest written record to a Roman play and describes Roman era spread of wine and viticulture across Europe, but does not name a single origin region in those exact terms. Earliest Documented Use, From (Year)The first record of wine being spiced and heated can be found in Plautus' play Curculio, written during the 2nd century BC. 1 Connections
Associated With
Expresses Tradition
Source Mulled wine - Wikipedia
Uses Ingredient
Sources
1. Mulled wine - Wikipedia
History section, Roman spread of wine
The Romans travelled across Europe, conquering much of it and trading with the rest. The legions brought wine and viticulture with them up to the Rhine and Danube rivers and to the Scottish border, along with their recipes.
History section
The first record of wine being spiced and heated can be found in Plautus' play Curculio, written during the 2nd century BC.
Expresses Tradition: Christmas Feast Traditions, Lead
It is a traditional drink during winter, especially around Christmas.
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