Chinese banquets aren’t the only place you’ll find wine mixed with other substances. Sangria, mulled wine and champagne cocktails are all western equivalents of the “Bordeaux and Sprite”. Mulled wine evolved as a way of making oxidized and unpalatable wine drinkable—though we suggest you start with a good quality wine. Make the wine by adding various spices (cloves, cinnamon, vanilla pods), and honey to red wine and then heating it gently. Mulled wine is a winter favorite in many parts of Europe. Slices of citrus can also be added. Be careful not to boil the wine or heat it above 78 C, as this will boil off the alcohol. Any type of red wine can be used, usually a cheap but full-bodied red should do. Making your own mulled wine is the perfect way to get rid any unwanted ‘gift’ bottles that you’ve had lying around.

Campbell Thompson Managing Director of The Wine Republic