For years I thought my crockpot was used for heating up wine. No joke. When I got my first crockpot back in 1991 I had used it for years, to heat wine! It was perfect for that! Mulled wine that is! Ever since I tried mulled wine at Pindar Vineyards during their December weekends serving Mulled Wine & Cookies, I was hooked! I figured, how hard could it be to do it at home! It wasn’t hard at all. This recipe is simple. You can even cheat and buy mulling spices in the store already prepared, but I like to know what is in my spice mix. So I make it myself. And the crockpot is perfect for warming it up and keeping it warm without boiling it! You do NOT want boiled wine. Yuck! And what is better on a cold fall or winter day than a nice warm cup of spicy delicious wine, with cookies! Pindar Vineyards is in my opinion the best vineyard/winery in the U.S. Maybe I am biased because my BFF and college roomie Rose works there and we’ve gotten to know the winery and all of their wines quite well over the years. Or maybe they just have fantastic wines! Yes, they are on Long Island in New York. Long Island is loaded with wonderful wineries and everyone should go visit, even in the off-season. But stop in Pindar, in Peconic, out on the north fork of LI and say hello to Rose and the crew there! (Hi Rose! Hi Terry!) We always make a stop in when we go back for a visit. Always!

Ok, now on with the recipe. Simple remember. Don’t over think it, just make it. The weather is perfect for a glass right now!

A great red wine from Pindar!

Even Sluggo loves Pindar & Rose!

 

 

INGREDIENTS:

1 bottle red wine (any kind you wish but a dry one is best)

2 cinnamon sticks

2 whole cloves

1 whole nutmeg

4 (2-3″) strips orange peel

4 (2-3″) strips lemon peel

3 tablespoons sugar

DIRECTIONS:

In a crockpot or saucepan, combine all ingredients. Bring to a simmer, about 10-15 minutes. Serve warm in mugs or heat-resistant glassware. Garnish with a cinnamon stick or slice of orange!