THERE’S no need to ponder how much to spend on fab festive drinks this Christmas – we’ve done the hard work for you.
As the temperatures drop, you may be eyeing up a bottle of warming mulled wine to get you in the seasonal spirit.
ShutterstockMulled wine is the perfect festive treat[/caption]
And the good news is you don’t have to spend a fortune.
Here, Laura Stott rates a selection of ready-made mulled wines with marks out of five – so you’ll know where best to splash your cash.
Cheers!
The Best Mulled Wine
£4.50, morrisons.com 5/5
Damien McFaddenThe Best Mulled Wine has Spanish red as its foundation[/caption]
MULLED wine is Christmas in a mug, made with a red wine base, spices and served hot with fruit slices.
This treat from Morrisons – recently given top billing by the Good Housekeeping awards – is a steal at the price.
With a Spanish red as its foundation, it’s rich and comforting, with plenty of spicy clove and nutmeg scents and aromas.
Just perfect for sipping around the tree.
Gingerbread Mulled Wine
£3.99, Aldi 3/5
Damien McFaddenGingerbread Mulled Wine is nice and sweet[/caption]
SOMETHING a bit different from Aldi, this gingerbread mulled wine comes at a bargain price.
Once warmed, you get a slightly sweeter mix.
There’s plenty of the usual spices but with the addition of sweet, sparky ginger.
A bit one-note as the ginger dominates.
Try with some chunks of crystallised ginger to add fire and add a twist of lime for a swanky-looking Christmas cocktail.
Chocolate Mulled Wine
£6.50, sainsburys.co.uk 4/5
Damien McFaddenChocolate Mulled Wine is 15%[/caption]
IF you fancy something a bit different, Sainsbury’s has combined a trio of Christmas faves – chocolate, liqueur and mulled wine.
Not unlike a very boozy hot chocolate, it contains a heady mix of brandy, red wine and mocha flavours.
At 15 per cent abv, this is potent compared to other bottles.
If you have a sweet tooth you’ll love it – but those who don’t may find it a little sickly.
Mulled Wine
£3, asda.com 4/4
Damien McFaddenAsda’s Mulled Wine is priced very low[/caption]
THIS is a great wine for a rock-bottom price.
It smells incredible when warmed in a pan, with rich, heavy aromatics of cinnamon, nutmeg and clove.
It is smooth and mellow to drink, with a nice citrussy tang that slips down a treat.
At this price it’s well worth getting a few bottles in to see you through the festive period while saving you plenty of pennies.
A festive bargain.
Vineyards Mulled Wine
£3, tesco.com 3/5
Damien McFaddenVineyards Mulled Wine is a good penny saver[/caption]
A BUDGET, rather basic bottle from Tesco but you can’t argue with the price.
The label doesn’t give much information on the red plonk used but it tastes decent.
There’s a fair amount of spice, lots of fruity flavour and you get a nice waft of cinnamon as you warm it.
In a cup with lots of fruit, it goes down easily.
It’s no award-winner but it is a perfectly drinkable penny saver.
Harvest Fruits Wine
£3.75, Iceland 3/5
Damien McFaddenMulled Wine from Iceland is spicy and fruity[/caption]
RICH, fruity and spicy, this is a very decent drop from Iceland at a good price.
A very intense red wine base will appeal to those who love a drop of the good stuff, and there’s plenty of flavour from star anise and cloves.
A bit darker and smokier than some offerings, this is the cigar lounge of ready-made mulled wines but no less enjoyable for it.
Heat it up and enjoy by a roaring fire.
Red Mulled Wine
£6, M&S 4/5
Damien McFaddenRed Mulled Wine from M&S has great packaging[/caption]
I LOVED the festive packaging.
While it’s a touch more expensive than some others, this is still a very affordable bottle at £6, and it would be ideal for taking to parties where you don’t want to turn up empty-handed.
Very aromatic when you heat it, and it filled the house with lovely seasonal scents.
Not too sweet nor too spicy, it’s very well-balanced and eminently gluggable.
Christkindl Mulled Wine
£5.99, Lidl 4/5
Damien McFaddenLidl’s offering is in the style of a traditional German gluhwein[/caption]
LIDL’S offering is in the style of a traditional German gluhwein, a Bavarian market favourite that blends red wine and traditional spices.
It smells incredible when you warm it on the stove.
Slightly pricier than some of the others, with a higher ABV too, but for the price this is top quality, complex, fruity and smooth.
Comes in a gorgeous bottle that would also make it a lovely gift.