Sip into the Season with Öko-Test's Mulled Wine Picks
Hey there, it's almost that time of the year again! As the sun starts to set earlier, it's hard not to crave a warm, festive drink. But before you dive into a mug of mulled wine, let's talk about quality. Öko-Test, a trusted consumer organization, has already tested numerous bottled mulled wines to help you make an informed choice.
Mulled wine is a holiday staple, filled with aromatic spices like cinnamon, cloves, star anise, and orange peel, among others. It's difficult to imagine a Christmas market without it. Unfortunately, mulled wine in Germany often gets a bad rap. Often blamed for hangover-inducing headaches, many people believe that the cheap mass production is to blame.
To put these concerns to rest, Öko-Test analyzed the smell, taste, and ingredients of 9 popular bottled mulled wines at prices ranging from 1.79 to 5.98 euros per liter. Due to the timing, 15 more wines missed the cut for the magazine, but the Öko-Test team has already sampled them all. The full test results, including the 15 unnamed mulled wines, will be available for free starting December 1st on Öko-Test's website.
Four out of 10 are Top-Notch
The 9 test subjects included well-known organic options like Alnatura Glühwein and Heißer Hirsch, as well as mulled wine from winegrowers, discount brands, and the protected "Nürnberger Glühwein Christkindles Markt-Glühwein." Four of these options scored "very good," including all three organic mulled wines and the conventional "Premium Glühwein" from Aldi Nord.
However, the worst performer was only "sufficient." The reason for this was due to "Omas Glühweinbude Omas Glühwein" containing an artificial vanilla aroma, traces of two pesticides, and falling short in its sensory qualities.
Doorbuster Sugar Levels
If you're worried about hangovers after indulging in too much mulled wine, you might want to look at the sugar content. Öko-Test tested sugar levels in the mulled wines, ranging from 72 to 93 grams per liter. For reference, a single lump of sugar is 3 grams. Add that to the alcohol content, and you've got yourself a rather unpleasant cocktail.
- Given the concerns about mulled wine quality, Öko-Test's tests provide consumers with reliable recommendations for top-rated options.
- The tests reveal that organic mulled wines can offer excellent quality, like Alnatura Glühwein and Heißer Hirsch, which rated "very good."
- If you're looking to avoid hangover-inducing headaches, consider opting for "very good" rated mulled wines as recommended by Öko-Test.
Enrichment Data: For a more hands-on experience, you might look into Perfectly Provence's Mulled Rosé recipe. It's a unique take on mulled wine that could inspire new flavor pairings and recipes.
For a more authoritative source on mulled wine quality, consult Öko-Test's official websites or publications directly for the most recent test results and recommendations.
