1 day Ago By Kirsty Spence
CHRISTMAS time, mistletoe and (mulled) wine - and we couldn't be happier to smell the first wafts of the spiced festive favourite all around. But at upwards of £5 a glass in your local pub, it's much cheaper to buy a bottle from the supermarket to enjoy in your own home from beneath a heated blanket while watching a Christmas movie (bliss!). 6 Christmas isn't Christmas without a glass or two of mulled wine Credit: Getty Mulled wine is big news this year, with supermarkets rolling out all manner of interesting twists, from gingerbread flavour through to a mulled amaretto drink.
There's even a white version, with hints of pear to give a totally different experience. And the best bit is that you can bag an entire bottle for just £3.79! Bring the Bavarian market home this year, save your pennies and get your whole house smelling of sweet festive spices for total Christmassy vibes - here are Team Fabulous' faves.
.. READ MORE IN FABULOUS Pinch of yum! 5 comforting Pinch Of Nom one-pots to see you through winter CHEERS TO THAT! Six wine dupes that will save you £££s - including a half-price champagne 6 You can still get your mulled fix if you're not drinking booze this winter Credit: Supplied Contributing Picture Editor Ruth Greatrex tested Luscombe Mulled Winter Warmer, £27.
40 for six bottles - BUY NOW The idea of mulled wine, with its fragrant promise of Christmas cheer, is lovely, but I find it too sweet and cloying. Sadly, for me, it’s an instant headache in a glass, followed closely by flushed cheeks and a Rudolph-style nose. Enter Devonshire maker Luscombe's non-alcoholic take, which brings all the festive feels to the party, minus the hangover and other boozy side effects.
Devon spring water is expertly blended with organic ingredients, such as cherries and hibiscus, then infused with all those familiar Christmassy spices, like cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg. Most read in Fabulous MYSTIC MEG You are the owner of an adventurous heart today, thanks to the moon HEIGHT DIFFERENCE People stop me in the street and call me a freak for dating my ‘daughter’ BEET THE FROST The unlikely £1.50 vegetable you need to pick up now to de-ice your garden CASH VOW Nurse cancels £30k Scots fairytale wedding after 'rose-tinted glasses come off' Not syrupy, it is refreshingly dry and tangy and is delicious served warmed with zesty orange, or even twist it up and try chilled.
6 Danielle was surprised by Marks & Spencer's white mulled wine Credit: Supplied Deputy Chief Sub-Editor Danielle Woodward tested Marks & Spencer Mulled White Wine, £6.50 - BUY NOW I'm a big fan of mulled wine - nothing makes me feel more festive than wrapping my chilled fingers around a steaming mug of hot, spiced booze. But having always had the red wine version, I had no idea what to expect from a white mulled wine.
The label says it's flavoured with pear, vanilla and mulled wine spice, and instructs to heat gently on the stove or to warm a mug in the microwave for a minute - I went for the latter, as I wasn't up for downing a bottle on my own, and added a wedge of lemon to bring out the citrus notes. It was absolutely delicious - like a liquid pear crumble, flavoured with cinnamon and with a vanilla biscuit aftertaste that was so moreish. The lemon added a freshness to counteract the sweetness.
The label says to add sugar to taste, but I thought it was sweet enough. Yes, there's the novelty factor with this one, but it doesn't disappoint! 6 Mia's sweet tooth was well and truly satisfied Credit: Supplied Beauty Writer Mia Lyndon tested Morrisons Winter Warmer Gingerbread Mulled Wine, £4 - BUY NOW I'll be honest, I didn't have high hopes for a £4 bottle of mulled wine - but it was delicious. After heating it on the stove, I drank it warm, and it had a full-bodied flavour, despite not adding any additional spices.
The wine has a sweet, caramel taste and a rich, spiced base - but I wouldn't describe it as gingerbread. Overall, a delicious mulled wine, perfect for those with a sweet tooth - and as the maker claims, it will indeed "transport tastebuds to a Bavarian bakery". 6 Kirsty will be sharing mulled amaretto with her dad this Christmas Credit: Supplied Food Editor Kirsty Spence tested Morrisons Mulled Amaretto, £6 - BUY NOW If you're after something a little different, inspired by a new trend among Christmas markets in Germany, this first-to-market in the UK Mulled Amaretto is just that As soon as news of its launch hit my inbox, I knew it would go straight to the top of my festive tipples chart - and I also knew I'd have to buy in extra bottles to satisfy my Dad's sweet tooth over Christmas.
Just like the others, this needs warming before sipping, and will fill the air with sweet, almond smells. I've heard of some fans added a glug to their hot chocolate - and personally, I think it's genius! 6 Ellie is a fan of this budget, citrusy tipple Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk Deputy Editor Ellie O'Mahoney tested Aldi Cranberry & Clementine Flavour Mulled Wine, £3.79 - BUY NOW I'm not a big wine drinker - as I've got older, I find the hangovers come too easily - but I make an exception for mulled wine at Christmas! I'm a big fan of Aldi's regular mulled wine, but always jazz it up a bit with orange juice, extra red wine and slices of citrus fruit, so I was keen to see whether this fruity alternative would be able to stand alone.
I was surprised at how different they are - the sweetness of the cranberry is there, but it's perfectly balanced with the citrus flavour of the clementine. It filled my kitchen with such a festive smell, even the kids were asking for a sip! Read more on the Scottish Sun SNOW END Weather maps reveal exact date 60-hour blizzard to blanket Scotland in snow LOOKING UP I'm a four-time world champ but my eyesight is going so I've made crucial change Why do shops start selling Christmas stock so early? Charlotte Harrington, the manager at Summerhill’s garden centre in Basildon, Essex, explained: “For many, many years now, we’ve opened our Christmas department on the August bank holiday. "The stock comes in early and we gradually start putting it out on the shop floor.
This is just a small fraction of what we have. “But our Christmas displays are so spectacular it takes time to get everything set up, so we have to start early . “It may seem a little odd putting them out now — especially with the hot weather.
“But we have to plan so far in advance.” ..
