German warm, spiced wine is called Glühwein (pronounced "GLUE-vine"), which translates to "glow-wine". It is a popular, traditional alcoholic drink served hot at German Christmas markets, typically made by heating red wine with ingredients like cinnamon, cloves, star anise, citrus peel, and sugar.
Glühwein is usually prepared from red wine, heated and spiced with cinnamon sticks, cloves, star aniseed, orange, sugar and at times vanilla pods. It is sometimes drunk mit Schuss (with a shot), which means that rum or some other liquor has been added.
Glühwein is German mulled wine. Glühwein literally translates to “glow-wine” because of how you feel after you've been drinking tiny mugs outside in December. Glühwein is traditionally served at stalls at Christmas markets across Germany and Austria to keep people warm as they shop and socialize.
Hot mulled wine — called Glühwein in the German speaking world — is a staple of Christmas markets in Europe. What better way to warm up while shopping outdoors? It is typically prepared using red wine that is heated and spiced with cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, cardamom, orange, sugar and at times, vanilla pods.
Also known as glühwein, vino caliente, glögg, vin brulé, bisschopswijn, vin chaud, candola, vinho quente…or literally a hundred other names, depending on where in the world life may find you.
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Is glühwein the same as mulled wine?
Mulled Wine Has Many Names
With mulled wine being popular all over Europe, it has come to be known by many names across the countries. In Germany where mulled wine is very popular it has become known as Glühwein. In Italy, it is known as vin brulé and in France, vin chaud meaning warm wine.
Depends on ingredients and preparation. Traditional mulled wine ranges from 8%–13% ABV. Non-alcoholic versions use cider, juice, or de-alcoholized wine.
“ Glogg, the Scandinavian version of mulled wine, is a warm, spicy drink with cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves. Glogg is traditionally served during Christmas, and it tastes especially good when enjoyed outside in the freezing cold Scandinavian winter night.”
The most popular and iconic wine in Germany is Riesling, a versatile white grape known for its aromatic complexity, from bone-dry to lusciously sweet styles, dominating German wine culture. For red wines, Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) is the leading variety, celebrated for its elegance and red fruit flavors, particularly in regions like Baden.
Mulled wine, sometimes called spiced wine, vin chaud, or Glühwein, is wine gently heated with warming spices, citrus, and a touch of sweetness. Typically served warm, it's a classic winter drink found across Europe's Christmas markets and holiday celebrations.
Neither Crémant nor Prosecco is inherently "better," as they offer different styles: Crémant (French) uses the traditional method (like Champagne) for finer bubbles and complex, toasty/nutty notes, while Prosecco (Italian) uses the tank method for lighter, fruity (apple, pear) refreshment, often at a lower price point. Choose Crémant for complexity and depth, or Prosecco for fresh, easy-drinking fruitiness; it's a matter of taste and occasion, not superiority.
A winter tradition dating back to 15th century Germany, Glühwein (pronounced GLOO-vine) is a style of sweet, mulled wine that has been keeping spirits bright for more than 600 years.
Frühschoppen (German pronunciation: [ˈfʁyːʃɔpm̩], meaning: an alcoholic drink before midday in company) is the German and Austrian tradition of meeting up at a pub, inn, or tavern in the late morning, usually on Sundays.
Traditionally, Riesling is intended to be sweet – to balance out its acidity – although some modern varieties are drier. Gewürztraminer can be either dry, but is often made sweeter. Dryness depends on the winemaker. Despite its sweet, tropical aroma, tasting heavily of lychee when ripe.
Why does wine make you hornier than other alcohol?
One theory points to the presence of phenylethylamine (PEA), often referred to as “the love chemical.” This organic compound, found in both wine and chocolate, is associated with feelings of euphoria and heightened attraction.
The 20-minute wine rule is a guideline for serving wines at their optimal temperature: take red wines out of the fridge for 20 minutes to slightly warm them up, and put white wines in the fridge for 20 minutes to cool them down, allowing the intended flavors and aromas to shine by avoiding extremes that muddle taste or suppress scent. It's about finding that perfect middle ground, making reds less "hot" and whites less "closed down," so you experience the winemaker's vision.
Mulled Wine (or Mulled “Wine”) Mulled wine is as simple as it is delicious. Combine a bottle of dry red wine, orange and lemon slices, cloves, and cinnamon sticks in a large saucepan. Let the mixture simmer (not boil) for 20 minutes, and add in sugar to taste.
Myth 3: Drinking hard liquor is worse than drinking beer or wine. Contrary to popular belief, the type of alcohol you drink doesn't make a difference – what matters is how much you drink. "The safe limit is fixed at 14 units a week," explains Dr Lui. "Below this limit, alcoholic fatty liver is less likely to occur.
Of course you can get drunk drinking Glühwein: it has alcohol in it. Either your friends are more used to drinking than you are, or they were actually drunker than you realized.
How to Drink Glühwein. You will often see mulled wine served in a ceramic cup, but drinking it from a crystal glass mug is how it's meant to be enjoyed.
The German name Gewürztraminer literally means "Spice Traminer" or "Perfumed Traminer", and is attested in Germany from the 16th century. This grape variety is a mutation of the Savagnin blanc, also known in German as the Traminer, from Tramin, the name of a village in South Tyrol.
German Glühwein tends to go heavy on the citrus, cinnamon, and cloves, while Nordic versions often add blanched almonds and raisins, which give you something to munch on once you've drunk up the wine.
