December 14th 2024.
It's that time of year again - the official start of mulled wine season. There's something special about holding a steaming glass of mulled wine in your hands during Christmas time. It's like a warm embrace on a cold winter night. But making the perfect batch of mulled wine is an art, and the key is finding the perfect balance of flavors. You don't want it to be too spicy, too clovey, or too sweet, but you also don't want it to be lacking in those elements either.
One thing to keep in mind when serving mulled wine is to avoid boiling it. This can stew the flavors and burn off the alcohol, which we definitely don't want. To save yourself the stress of perfecting the recipe, you can always let the supermarket do the mulling for you. They tend to have a wide selection, with some unique and interesting flavors to choose from. From cranberry and clementine to gingerbread, caramel biscuit, and even spiced white chocolate, it can be overwhelming to decide which one to buy.
Luckily, I've tried 22 different mulled wines so you don't have to. And after much deliberation, I have officially declared 2024 as the year of white mulled wine, thanks to M&S. Perhaps it was because it was one of the last bottles I tasted, but the freshness and lightness of the white wine was a refreshing change from the rich and heavy reds I had tried. White wine already has those hints of apple and pear, making it a perfect base for mulled wine.
Now, let's take a look at my top 10 picks for the best mulled wines for Christmas 2024. But be sure to read until the end to find out which ones to avoid. First up, we have Aldi's Cranberry and Clementine Mulled Wine. It's a good option from the bargain retailer with a score of 8.4 out of 10. The flavors are well-balanced, with the cranberry and clementine coming through without being overpowering. It also has a nice layer of warming spices without being too sweet.
Next, we have Shop Cuvée Mulled Wine, priced at £16.99 from shopcuvee.com. This one is for the more sophisticated palate, with its complex notes of sandalwood, pepper, and citrus fruit. The spice can be a bit overwhelming on the nose, but the overall taste makes up for it. It's a very good, grown-up version of mulled wine.
Moving on to Tesco's Gluhwein Felix Solis, priced at £6.25. This one has a velvety texture and balanced sweetness, with subtle spices. Just make sure you don't confuse "festive dove" with "festive clove" like the Tesco website did. Sainsbury's Mull it Over 1.5L, priced at £5.50, also makes the list with its subtle spice notes and balanced sweetness. It has a lovely dried cranberry flavor that makes it a very good choice.
For those watching their alcohol intake, we have Morrisons' Winter Warmer Mulled Wine and Winter Warmer Gingerbread Mulled Wine, both priced at £4. The regular Winter Warmer has a juicy fruit character and balanced spices, while the gingerbread version has a pleasant flavor of scorched gingerbread, making it a good choice for those looking for something a little different.
Co-op's Warming Spiced Mulled Wine, priced at £4, also makes the list with its mellow spices and notes of orange and cranberry. Morrisons' Christmas Pudding Mulled Wine, priced at £3, is a very festive option with its spiced mincemeat aroma and dried citrus fruit and raisin flavors. And Aldi's Caramel Biscuit Mulled Wine, priced at £3.79, is a standout with its toffee notes, buttery texture, and perfect balance of spices and sweetness.
But the top spot goes to M&S's White Mulled Wine, priced at £6.50 from Ocado. It offers a unique twist on the classic mulled wine with its expressive pear and blossom notes on the nose and delicate palate of elderflower, lemon, and vanilla. It's simply delicious and definitely worth a try.
However, not all mulled wines are created equal. There are a few that didn't quite make the cut, but still deserve an honorable mention. Lidl's Deluxe Non-Alcoholic Mulled Punch is a decent option for those looking for a non-alcoholic version, while Lime Bay Spiced Mead from Lymebaywinery.co.uk is a sweet and spiced alternative for those who enjoy mead. And while not technically a mulled wine, Asda's Extra Special White Chocolate Flavour Cream Liqueur has some of the same flavors and is a tasty option for those looking for something different.
But on the other end of the spectrum, there are a few mulled drinks that I would avoid buying again for Christmas. Morrisons' Mulled Amaretto received a score of 3.5 out of 10 due to its overwhelming artificial cherry flavors. Aldi's Gingerbread Mulled Wine, priced at £3.99, has a confected taste with artificial ginger notes. And Lidl's Baywood Mulled Wine, priced at £2.39, just wasn't rich enough to be satisfying.
Looking for more expert drinks content? Look no further than Metro's Drinks Column, featuring industry expert Rob Buckhaven. He covers everything from budget-friendly wines from supermarkets to fancy Cremant that rivals Champagne. He also explores non-alcoholic options, food pairings, and even tackles popular TikTok trends to help readers navigate the world of drinks.
So, which mulled wine will you be sipping this Christmas? Share your thoughts in the comments below. And if you have a story to share, get in touch with us at email. Happy mulling!
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