Though the thought of a hot drink to finish off a huge Christmas dinner might seem a bit different, a lovely mulled wine may just change your mind.
Just ask Liz McFarland.
Ms McFarland, who runs Vale Creek Wines, Bathurst, with her partner Tony Hatch, has been making this delicious hot wine for more than a decade and says it can be the perfect drink for Christmas, or even to make during winter.
Mulled wine is a traditional hot drink which uses red wine as well as spices, such as cloves, and is a favourite at Christmas.
Ms McFarland said the winery’s Dolcetto is perfect for the recipe.
“It is low in acidity, and has no tannins,” she said.
“It is a very friendly wine, and is great for taking on other flavours.
“It also a great wine for making sangria because it is so light.”
The mulled wine recipe also includes fresh oranges, as well as cinnamon and cloves.
“It is very easy to make,” she said.
Ms McFarland has made batches of the wine for events such as farmers’ markets, lunches, as well as festivals.
She was part of a group who made 1000 litres of the hot wine for Bathurst’s popular Winter Festival in recent years.
It sold out in two hours.
Vale Creek Wines can be purchased at www.valecreek.com.au, or through the cellar door, which is open every weekend.
Check the website for times.
Vale Creek Dolcetto Mulled Wine Recipe
Ingredients:
- One bottle Vale Creek Dolcetto
- One cup fresh orange juice
- One tablespoon grated orange rind
- Three whole cloves
- Three cinnamon sticks
- Two-thirds cup of sugar
Method:
- Place all ingredients in a large stainless steel pot.
- Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Allow to steep for 24 hours, as this improves the flavour.
- Once you are ready to serve your wine, strain the wine, reheat and serve.
- Enjoy!