Mulled wine
As a photographer and prop stylist, I often get to indulge my culinary passions with my photo pursuits. In a recent content shoot for our friends at Wilderness Run Vineyards, I was able to do exactly that. During the colder months they serve deliciously warmed mulled wine to help customers forget winters cool chill. This spiced wine typically includes cinnamon sticks, star anise and cloves, along with a splash of fruit juice. These natural elements provided just the right amount of texture and color against the dark speckled slate featured in this styled photoshoot. The rich red wine glows a deep velvety hue after being illuminated using a Godox AD 400 Pro through diffusion material.
Videre is the base for this warming holiday beverage.
A dark and fruity flavored wine variety, like Merlot works best when making mulled wine. Since Wilderness Run recently released Videre, a red blend of Merlot and Malbec, we chose to highlight it in these photographs.
Mulled wine makes a festive holiday drink for any gatherings you may have planned this December. Check out the easy recipe below.
Mulled Wine-
Ingredients:
1 bottle of red wine (Merlot)
1 orange; cut into rounds
2 cinnamon sticks
3 star anise
5 whole cloves
1/4 brown sugar (optional, depending on your desired level of sweetness; start with one TBSP and add more after tasting.)
Optional garnishes: Fresh cranberries, cinnamon sticks, and orange slices
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a heavy-bottomed pot and bring to just below a simmer. (You don’t want to let the mixture boil as that makes the alcohol evaporate.) Continue heating on low for about ten minutes for the flavors to meld and the liquid too warm.
Pour into a mug and garnish as desired. Enjoy!
Sip and enjoy the winter weather.
We always love hearing from our readers. Tell us in the comments below, what’s your favorite local wine to use when making mulled wine?