Glühwein – a special drink with a European Christmas flavor

Gluhwein is a delicious hot drink that is the unofficial festive drink of many European countries.

December is the time for Gluhwein  wine to be loved across Europe and when you drink it, you can feel like you’re tasting winter in your mouth! If you plan to travel to destinations like France, Germany, Austria, Hungary and even Russia this winter, this is the signature drink you must taste.

Drinking  Gluhwein  is a long-standing holiday tradition

Glühwein (roughly translated as sparkling wine, the term derives from the iron pot used to make wine) is very popular in German-speaking countries and the Alsace region in France. This drink is traditionally served on Christmas holidays and dates back to the 2nd century. The Romans are considered the first nation to heat and season Gluhwein  in their military parades. across Europe.

In fact, Gluhwein  was so attached to their day-to-day business that the Romans brought along a team of winemakers and economists to establish vineyards throughout the new territories. their conquest.

Gluhwein is usually prepared from red wine, heated with spices such as cinnamon, cloves, star anise, citrus, sugar and vanilla.

Gluhwein Variations  Across Europe

There is also a variation of Gluhwein made from white wine. When you travel Europe with  a multi-country tour during the winter months, you’ll be able to sample wines prepared by different cultures.

In the Netherlands, Gluhwein is called bisschopswijn (‘bishop’s wine’) and is made with oranges instead of lemons; in France it is called vin chaud (‘hot wine’) and is usually less sweet; In Bulgaria, they add honey, pepper and apple and call it greyano vino (‘hot wine’). While in Italy, you’ll find it served as vin brulé (‘burnt wine’). One of our visitor’s favorites is the German version served with a piece of burning sugar on top, which you can find at European Christmas fairs, called Feuerzangentasse, German for means ‘Fire Cup’.

The benefits of drinking  Gluhwein

Aside from being just a refreshing drink during the festival and to be sipped during European Christmas ,  Gluhwein  has a lot of health benefits. Red wine is an excellent source of antioxidants, which increase HDL (good cholesterol) levels and can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease or clogged arteries. In addition, cinnamon has powerful anti-inflammatory properties; Nutmeg is a tonic that helps absorb toxins by the liver and kidneys.

Are you ready to taste the taste of Gluhwein, let’s book a European tour on this occasion to immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere and enjoy this special drink!

LinhPhan (translation) – FoodVN.net

Source – Photo: expatexplore