Prep Time: 5 mins | Simmer Time: 15 mins | Serves: 6 to 8 | Pairs with: Any Etude Pinot Noir
TL;DR: A classic mulled wine made with one bottle of Etude Pinot Noir, apple cider, warm spices, honey, and orange, simmered for 15 minutes. Optional brandy adds depth. Ready in under 20 minutes and fills the house with the smell of the season. Jon Priest's philosophy of inspired winegrowing, allowing the vineyard to express itself without unnecessary intervention, is reflected in the wines that make this recipe work: wines with genuine fruit character and enough structure to hold up to spice without disappearing behind it.
The Drink the Season Calls For
There is a specific comfort that mulled wine provides that no other drink quite replicates. It is the warmth, the spice, the citrus rising from the pot, the way it signals that the pace of things has slowed down for the evening.
It is also one of the simplest things you can make. Everything goes in the pot together. You wait 15 minutes. You serve it warm.
At a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Prep time | 5 minutes |
| Simmer time | 15 minutes |
| Serves | 6 to 8 |
| Base wine | Any Etude Pinot Noir |
| Key technique | Simmer only, never boil |
| Optional addition | 1/4 cup brandy for added depth |
What Wine Works Best for Mulled Wine?
Pinot Noir is Jon Priest's recommendation for mulled wine, and the reasoning is straightforward. A wine you enjoy drinking on its own will become a wine you enjoy drinking warm and spiced. Pinot Noir's natural acidity and red fruit character hold up well to the cinnamon, clove, and orange, and its relatively lighter tannin structure keeps the drink from feeling heavy.
Any Etude Pinot Noir works here. The Carneros Pinot Noir, Fiddlestix, Heirloom, Deer Camp, and North Canyon all bring their own character to the pot. The Carneros, with its bright fruit and lively acidity, is a particularly versatile starting point.
Ingredients
- 1 bottle of Etude Pinot Noir
- 2 cups apple cider
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 orange, sliced into rounds
- 4 cloves
- 6 peppercorns
- 1/4 cup brandy (optional)
- Additional cinnamon sticks and orange slices for garnish
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan or crockpot.
- Warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until steaming. Reduce heat and allow to simmer gently for 15 minutes.
- Do not allow the mixture to boil. Boiling drives off the alcohol and flattens the flavor.
- Remove cloves and peppercorns before serving. A fine mesh strainer works well for this step.
- Ladle into heatproof glasses or mugs. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and a fresh orange slice.
Tip: To keep the spices contained and make cleanup easier, use a spice ball or cheesecloth bundle. This eliminates the need to strain before serving.
About the Winemaker: Jon Priest
For more than 15 years, Senior Winemaker Jon Priest has made Etude wines according to a simple principle: inspired winegrowing diminishes the need for a winemaker to intervene in the cellar. Whether working with estate fruit from Grace Benoist Ranch in Carneros, or sourcing from distinguished vineyards like Fiddlestix in the Santa Rita Hills and North Canyon on the Central Coast, his focus has always been on coaxing the best from each site and letting the vineyard speak for itself.
That philosophy produces wines with genuine varietal character and real sense of place, exactly the qualities that make Pinot Noir such a natural foundation for mulled wine. The fruit is present. The structure holds. The spice builds on something worth tasting.
FAQs: Mulled Wine
Why should I not boil the mulled wine?
Boiling drives off alcohol and flattens the aromatic complexity that makes mulled wine worth drinking. The goal is a gentle, sustained simmer that warms the mixture and allows the spices to infuse without compromising the wine.
Can I make mulled wine in a crockpot?
Yes. A crockpot set to low is ideal for mulled wine, especially if you are making a larger batch or want to keep it warm throughout the evening without monitoring it. Set to low, combine all ingredients, and allow to warm for 1 to 2 hours before serving.
How long can mulled wine be kept warm?
Up to 3 hours on the lowest possible heat setting. After that, the flavor begins to degrade and the remaining alcohol continues to cook off. Mulled wine is best consumed the day it is made.
What does brandy add to mulled wine?
Brandy adds depth, warmth, and a subtle fruit-forward richness that complements the Pinot Noir's own character. It is optional but worth including for a more complex result. Add it at the beginning so it warms with everything else.
Which Etude Pinot Noir makes the best mulled wine?
The Carneros Pinot Noir is our starting recommendation for its balance of bright fruit and acidity. For a richer, spice-forward mulled wine, the Deer Camp Pinot Noir's darker fruit and warm character work exceptionally well alongside cinnamon and clove.
Shop Etude Pinot Noir at etudewines.com/collections/pinot-noir.
Enjoy responsibly. Pour & Protect.
