Eagle City Winery - Email Newsletter #10 (Holiday Mulled Wine)

 The Holiday Season is nearly upon us and I can already smell the sweet and spicy aroma of mulled wine.  My two favorite wines for mulling are our Apple Wine made from a variety of Iowa apples and our Cranberry Wine made from fresh Wisconsin cranberries.  Both are wonderful when mulling spices are added and they are served warm.

 You can purchase mulling spices at your local grocery store or better yet you can make your own.  Here is the recipe:

 The two main ingredients that give mulled  wines their warming characteristics are allspice and cloves. And when the combination of these two spices, along with cinnamon, citrus peel and ginger, steep together with apple or cranberry wine, there's no place like home for the holidays.

Mulling spice recipe

Serves 8 to 10

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon whole allspice

• 1 tablespoon whole cloves

• 3 cinnamon sticks

• Zest of 1 orange (or orange peel with pith removed)

• 2 (1/2-inch thick) slices peeled fresh ginger

• 1/2 gallon of apple or cranberry wine

Directions:

1.    In a medium saucepan, heat cider or wine over medium-high heat; stir in allspice, cloves, cinnamon, orange zest and ginger.

2.    Bring to boiling; reduce to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, six to eight minutes or until desired flavor is achieved.

3.    Strain mixture through a fine mesh sieve; discard solids. Serve warm

 Our Cranberry and Apple Wines can be purchased at most of our Iowa outlets which can be located by clicking on the Retail Outlets tab on our website or you can come to the winery and purchase the wines and say hello to EC and the girls while you are here.

 Happy mulling and have a great Holiday Season!