California Wine Month may have come and gone, but pumpkin spice season is right around the corner. Let's celebrate with a simple harvest-inspired recipe for Pumpkin Spice Mulled Wine! I'll also throw in a few highlights from my recent wine tasting trip to Paso Robles, California!
This easy-to-make recipe was created with Chardonnay from the Paso Robles region. It is the type of simple sippin' that warms you from the inside out even on a crisp fall day.
{{ Our post and the mulled wine recipe that goes with it was made in partnership with California Wines! We received compensation and product in exchange for it. Opinions are always our own. If we don’t love it, you don’t hear about it. Thanks for your continued support! }}
What is mulled wine?
Mulled wine, also known as spiced wine is typically made with red wine along with mulling spices and sweeteners. It is different from regular wine because it has been heated. The wine is gently heated to a temperature that allows the flavors of the mulling spices, orange juice, or other ingredients to blend together completely.
Red wine or white wine? What is the best choice for making mulled wine?
Well, both actually! Let's talk about what varietals, both red and white, work best in mulled wine recipes.
Traditional Mulled Wine recipe
I created this red wine-based mulled wine recipe for California Grown and it is a stunner!
It's inspired by Vin Brulé, a spiced wine sold in Italy from street carts in the cooler months of the year.
For a mulled wine recipe made with red wine it is important to note:
Mulling wine disguises a lot of the nuances of taste. For this reason, don’t pick a delicately flavored wine. Instead, go for bigger, bolder, full-bodied reds like Syrah and Malbec. A red blend is also a great choice for making mulled wine and will often be cheaper than a single varietal wine.
For a mulled wine recipe made with white wine it is important to note:
Aromatic white wines such as Riesling, Muscat (Moscato), or Chenin Blanc are all great choices for making mulled white wine. For this pumpkin spice-inspired version of mulled wine, I opted for a nice buttery Chardonnay from J.Lohr which is located in Paso Robles.
How to make this recipe in just a few steps!
Mulled wine is an easy and delicious celebratory beverage to make at home! Let's talk through the steps - spoiler alert there is really only one main step.
How to make this recipe
First, combine Chardonnay, pumpkin butter, brandy and honey in a deep saucepan. Whisk well so that everything dissolves. Add the sliced orange and whole spices. Place over medium-low heat for about 10-15 minutes until heated through and serve.
It is important to not heat the mixture up over high heat or for too long as the alcohol would cookout and who wants that?! Warm and steamy is the sweet spot.
Want to eliminate the straining step when making Pumpkin Spiced Mulled Wine?
Simply combine and secure the oranges, cloves, cinnamon, and star anise in a cheesecloth bundle. Then remove the bundle after the cooking time!
What makes this pumpkin spice mulled wine recipe so unique?
The pumpkin butter and fall spices, of course!
This recipe was inspired by a recent wine tasting trip to Paso Robles, California. While there I learned that my favorite Chardonnay from the Paso Robles region has perfect flavor notes for pairing with the cozy flavors of fall.
According to Kristen Barnhisel, J. Lohr winemaker, white wine, their 2019 Riverstone Chardonnay is perfect for this mulled wine recipe!
"The enticing aromas are reminiscent of ripe orange, fresh nectarine, and hazelnut. Which are complemented by the palate flavors of apricot, ripe peach, and honey. The rich texture and balance on the palate from aging surely gives way to flavors of vanilla, citrus cream, and a hint of oak on the long finish."
The chardonnay's flavor mimics the citrus and honey that are also used in this mulled wine recipe, as well as in the pumpkin butter that is the main flavoring component!
Now that we've explored Paso and celebrated California Wine Month in a real BIG way, it's time for you to celebrate too! Scroll just a bit further for the printable recipe for our Pumpkin Spice Mulled Wine.
If you’ve given our Pumpkin Spiced Mulled Wine a try I would be so grateful if you would rate the recipe with a star rating and let me know what you think in the comments below!
I just love hearing from you and your reviews and comments really help others that visit This Mess is Ours.
PrintPumpkin Spice Mulled Wine
This easy-to-make pumpkin spice mulled wine recipe is made with buttery Chardonnay from the Paso Robles region of California.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 10 min
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
- Category: Cocktail
- Method: simmered
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
1 (750 ml) bottle chardonnay
1 large orange, sliced into rounds. Seeds removed if necessary.
¼ cup pumpkin butter, storebought or homemade
8 whole cloves
2 whole cinnamon sticks
1 star anise
¼ cup brandy
⅛ cup honey
Instructions
Combine all of the ingredients in a large non-reactive saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat. Once simmering reduce to low and let simmer for 10 minutes.
Do not turn the heat up too high or cook for too long, this will cook out the alcohol. Strain and serve warm with your desired garnishes.
Notes
Want to eliminate the straining step when making Pumpkin Spiced Mulled Wine?
Simply combine and secure the oranges, cloves, cinnamon, and star anise in a cheesecloth bundle. Then remove the bundle after the cooking time.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 small gass
- Calories: 139
- Sugar: 8.3 g
- Sodium: 9.8 mg
- Fat: 8.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 12.1 g
- Protein: 0.6 g
- Cholesterol: 20.3 mg
Belinda Cappelli says
We made this Halloween Night for a small party and loved it!
meg@thismessisours says
I am so glad you and your guests loved this!