Gluhwein (2024)

FAQs

Is Glühwein the same as mulled wine? ›

Mulled wine is hot spiced wine. Gluhwein is a German term for exactly the same. However, they might not necessarily taste the same way because there are so many different recipes, spice mixes and wines to choose from.

Officially speaking, the drink is defined by the spices used in it, namely cloves and / or cinnamon. The base also needs to be either white or red wine and have an alcohol content of at least 7%.

The word “Glühwein” roughly translates to “glow wine.” A traditional Glühwein typically includes a variety of spices such as cinnamon, clove, and star anise. This German mulled wine also features citrus, vanilla, and sugar.

Here in the States, they call it Hark and Holly Glühwein. And at Trader Joe's, we call it one of our favorite ways to keep warm during the holidays.

Glühwein Mulled Wine 1l | ALDI.

Alcoholic hot drinks get you drunk faster, as their high temperature ensures that the alcohol enters the bloodstream more quickly and easily. Sugar also promotes alcohol absorption, so a cup of mulled wine will go to your head much more quickly than a glass of normal wine.

Aldi Gluhwein

It felt thin yet it had an ABV of 8%, making it one of the strongest wines we tried. I didn't feel the high price tag of 60p per 100ml was justified.

But what if you're looking for a bit more refreshment and you want to enjoy this drink cold instead? Is it not going to taste as good as it does when warm? The answer is that you can absolutely serve mulled wine chilled, and there are quite a few recipes out there for cold versions of this iconic sipper.

THE GERMANS also disagree: 'Bier auf Wein das lass sein; Wein auf Bier das rat' ich Dir' (roughly translated: 'Don't touch beer after wine; but wine after beer is fine'). There is an Anglo-German difference on another bit of folklore, too.

Generally, unopened mulled wine can last anywhere from 1 to 5 years. Red wines, which are the base for mulled wine, tend to have a longer shelf life compared to white wines due to their higher tannin content and acidity.

What to eat with Glühwein? ›

Festive Sweets: Traditional Christmas treats like gingerbread, mince pies, or stollen are an excellent pairing. Their spices harmonise with the wine's own blend of cinnamon, cloves, and star anise. Savoury Snacks: Try a glass with some pigs in blankets, sausage rolls, or even a simple bruschetta.

Usually the deposit of pfand (pronounced “font”) is at the bottom and ranges from €2 to €4. A mug of Glühwein may cost €3, plus the €2 deposit/pfand. They will ask for €5.

And, of course, the company sources low-cost materials such as cheap corks, lightweight bottles, and economical boxes to keep prices to a minimum. All of these factors lead to you getting great deals on your booze when you head to Trader Joe's for a bottle to pop open at dinner.

Glögg, as it's written in Sweden and Iceland, is a hot mulled wine made with sugar, spices, sometimes liquor, and more. It's a wintertime favorite in much of Scandinavia and the Nordic region, where its zesty fragrance drifts through Christmas markets and lingers inside many snow-covered homes.

Glögg, gløgg, glögi and similar words are the terms used for mulled wine in the Nordic countries and Estonia (sometimes spelled as glog or glug).

Mulled wine is the main drink at the markets. It's so popular that many of the markets have special decorated cups for the wine. You pay a deposit for them and get it back when you return them or just keep the cup as a souvenir of your visit.