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Best mulled wines to warm your cockles this Christmas

When it comes to the best tipples for the festive season, mulled wine is a must

Beth Brickenden
Monday 13 November 2023 14:59 GMT
<p>Packed with dark fruits and spice, enjoy the seasonal drink warmed up or poured over ice </p>

Packed with dark fruits and spice, enjoy the seasonal drink warmed up or poured over ice

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As Mariah Carey and Michael Bublé dust off the cobwebs, it’s time to start looking ahead to all the festive food and drink the holiday season brings, and that includes our favourite festive tipple: mulled wine.

Whether you’re hosting a yuletide get-together or simply want to unwind with a classic Christmas film after a long day, beloved UK stores have a wide selection of pre-made mulled wines that are sure to make your taste buds tingle with delight.

We know everyone’s a fan of putting their own twist on a mulled wine, whether it’s extra booze or spice, so we’ve added a few suggestions within this round-up, to help you max out on merriment.

If you have the time for ritual, keep reading this article to discover a wonderful recipe from top UK sommelier Jan Konetzki. A favourite that can be shared warm or chilled over ice, it’s a great recipe for cocktail enthusiasts.

The calibre and quality of wines available in our UK stores are steadily on the rise, continually improving with each given year, and this extends to mulled wine, too. So, as the festive season approaches, the choices available for this heartwarming drink have never been better. Sound good? Get ready to be wrapped up in the cosy embrace of our favourite mulled wines for Christmas.

How we tested

A selection of the best mulled wines that were tested for this review

We taste-tested a range of mulled wines, all of which enveloped us in a blanket of festive warmth but didn’t break the bank. With bottles perfect for gifts, evenings in or for grabbing en route to your next Christmas soirée, keep reading for our full verdict.

The best mulled wines for 2023 are:

  • Best mulled wine overall – M&S red mulled wine: £6, Ocado.com
  • Best budget mulled wine – Vineyards mulled wine: £3, Tesco.com
  • Best mulled wine for pairing with mince pies – Waitrose mulled wine, Spain: £5.49, Waitrose.com
  • Best low-alcohol mulled wine – M&S low-alcohol red mulled wine: £4.75, Ocado.com

M&S red mulled wine

best mulled wine M&S red mulled wine
  • Best: Mulled wine overall
  • Size: 75cl
  • ABV: 11%

M&S mulled wine is a scrumptiously easy-drinking delight. It offers a harmonious blend of spices, with a particularly delightful touch of clove. It has enough body to stand up to the level of spice, and it’s beautifully balanced.

To enhance the experience, simply serve it with a slice of orange or grated orange zest, and you’ll be all set to enjoy a fantastic holiday treat.

  1. £6 from Ocado.com
Prices may vary
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Vineyards mulled wine

best mulled wines Vineyards mulled wine
  • Best: Budget mulled wine
  • Size: 75cl
  • ABV: 5%

While you might have reservations about the quality of a £3 wine, Tesco Vineyards mulled wine is worth a try. To enhance its richness, consider adding 150ml of ruby port to the pot while warming it up, and you’ll have a winner on your hands. Without the port, it may feel slightly thin at 5 per cent ABV, and lacking that cosy blanket of plush fruit, but with the addition of port, it transforms into a richer, more satisfying option with great spice notes. Serving it with a slice of orange and cloves completes the experience.

  1. £3 from Tesco.com
Prices may vary
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Waitrose mulled wine, Spain

best mulled wine Waitrose mulled wine
  • Best: For pairing with mince pies
  • Size: 75cl
  • ABV: 10%

Waitrose’s own-brand mulled wine is consistently great. You can rely on it to be a decent choice for the festive season. It’s easy-drinking with a soft, plush texture, boasting a delightful array of dark fruit flavours. The real magic happens with its lovely balance of fruit, orange peel and cloves, making it perfect for those who aren’t huge fans of intense spices.

However, for spice enthusiasts, you can easily kick it up a notch by adding some star anise and cinnamon to the pot as it warms through. The price is excellent, making it a fantastic all-around option for holiday celebrations.

  1. £5 from Waitrose.com
Prices may vary
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M&S low-alcohol red mulled wine

Best mulled wine M&S low alcohol red mulled wine
  • Best: Low-alcohol mulled wine
  • Size: 75cl
  • ABV: 0.5%

This mulled wine is great on the nose, juicy and fruity with buckets of spice and citrus notes. While it may feel slightly thin on the palate due to its low alcohol content, this is where its quaffable nature shines. Don’t let the somewhat unappealing label deter you – this low-alcohol version is a great choice for those seeking a milder experience.

  1. £4 from Ocado.com
Prices may vary
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Gluhwein By Felix Solis mulled wine

best mulled wines Gluhwein By Felix Solis mulled wine
  • Best: Gluhwein
  • Size: 75cl
  • ABV: 12%

Felix Solis’ gluhwein is Christmas in a glass. This mulled wine delivers jammy dark fruit flavours on the sweeter side, complemented by cinnamon, cloves and a lovely citrus lift. If you want to elevate the experience further, consider adding a touch of brandy for an even more delightful concoction.

  1. £6 from Tesco.com
Prices may vary
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Harvey Nichols mulled wine

best mulled wine Harvey Nichols mulled wine
  • Best: Luxury mulled wine
  • Size: 750ml
  • ABV: 10.5%

Harvey Nichols’ mulled wine is the priciest option on our list, but for good reason. It boasts organic, German grapes and stunning spice, including allspice, which adds another layer of complexity. This mulled wine has a lighter, lifted style compared with other offerings but offers a generous flavour profile that is simply gorgeous to drink. It strikes a perfect balance between sweetness and spice. The bottle’s unique design also makes it a lovely gift option – a standout choice for those willing to invest a bit more in their holiday libations.

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Mulled wine recipe

Renowned sommelier Jan Konetzki has one of the world’s most admirable palates, and he has treated us to his delicious mulled wine recipe. If you fancy having a go at making a batch yourself, stick on a great playlist, roll up your sleeves and turn up the heat.

Sugar spice syrup

This can be made all in one pot, simply boil for five minutes then let it cool a little.

  • 50ml port
  • 50g sugar
  • Zest of an orange
  • 3 cloves
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 star anise
  • 1 cardamom pod
  • 3 black pepper corns
  • 1/3 vanilla pod
  • Pinch of nutmeg
  • Pinch of salt

The wine

Make this in a separate pot.

  • 1/3 bottle of bordeaux
  • 1/3 bottle of southern rhone
  • 1/3 bottle of old or oxidised red (trust the process)

Heat the wine gently, then add the spiced syrup. Simmer, don’t boil, for 10 mins.

Serve up warm or let cool and serve over ice, garnished with orange zest and a cinnamon stick – yum.

The verdict: Mulled wine

When it comes to sourcing excellent mulled wine, our top choice for this year’s holiday celebrations is the mulled wine from M&S, with our second favourite being the bottle from Waitrose. These reliable stores offer consistently high-quality beverages that are not only accessible but well-priced, too. Although, you’re unlikely to go wrong with any of the options included in our list.

For more festive tipples, read our round-up of the best award-winning sparkling wine now 25 per cent off

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