I wanted to give advance suggestions for Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year's wine selections this week. Not so much a wine type. But, to give you some wine traditions of the season. The previous articles of fortified wines - vermouth, sherry and port - provide the before and after-feast wines. This week is about the holiday wine traditions.

In Germany, it is called Glühwein the history of this drink is to share with your friends at the local Christmas market. Especially from the vendors to lure people to linger longer and hopefully gain an extra purchase. To be a good neighbor, bring a large pot of hot Glühwein and a stack of small cups. Glühwein is more than the holiday season hot wine drink, it is served throughout the winter, common at ski areas, curling and skating rinks, and any outdoor winter activity.

Wassail, is also Germanic in origin and commonly confused with a wine drink. It is mentioned in many holiday songs and stories. But, Wassail (a word from Middle English meaning "be healthy") is really an apple cider drink. It is mulled with spices and spiked with brandy or neutral schnapps.

If you plan a bit of caroling, a blanketed winter sleigh ride or a community yule log burning, Glühwein is a perfect choice to give you a little warmth and cheer for the season.

In the Scandinavia, the hot wine is Glögg, and is nearly the same as the German Glühwein. The main difference is that glöggparties have developed to include many varieties of warm drinks. The fruit juices and mixtures, some with wine, some with brandy, some are alcohol-free are all considered gloggs.


It is the mulling of the drink with flavors and to serve a warm fruity beverage that is important here.

For Hanukkah, a Kadesh is delivered each of the 8 days of the celebration. The Kadesh is a toast and a prayer to begin the meal. The type of wine is not so important as the importance to be kosher. Choose a bottle labeled, "kosher for Passover", it will have been kept free from contact with grains or breads as the tradition dictates. Part of the kosher wine process involves making a wine Mevushal. This is basically a pasteurization process that is overlooked by a Mashgiach to ensure purity.

Kwaanza does not have a long wine history. But, you can serve a wonderful South African red at your table for Kwaanza. Pinotage is my choice, a cross of Pinot Noir and Cinsault. Most South African wines aren't labeled by region, but rather by grape variety and style. The grape itself, and the reputation of the winery that made the wine, are the two things to watch for with South African wines.

It is a little different when you go south of the equator and into tropical climates. The wines served are not nearly as traditional to the season. There is a wonderful mixture called Candola, a mulled wine that has a tradition of being warmed by a small candle or sterno flame. Candola and the other known South American mulled wine, Navegado, are not typical Christmas wines because that is their summer season.

To serve a tasty Glühwein for the holidays this year, here are some guidelines and suggestions. Use a big red wine, preferably fruity and not too expensive (after all, you are going to dilute, mix and re-fortify). Think like Sangria when adding fruits. Use sliced fresh citrus, melons and berries. Then add spices like cinnamon, clove, peppercorn and allspice. To warm the wine, mull it, a slow warming with the fruits and spices. A crockpot is a perfect device for mulling wine, then just ladle it out after it sits for a while. Many mixtures will dilute the wine with water and add extra brown sugar or honey to taste. The hearty Glühwein drinkers of Bavaria will add a shot of brandy with each glass to boost what alcohol that was lost in the mulling.

A good hot-spiced wine is a wonderful holiday tradition. My suggestion is to play with the mixture in your slow warmer or crockpot. Use fresh citrus, berries, and lots of spices and let the wine steep in those flavors. Try a blueberry or fresh cranberry, your holiday guests will love the warm wine drink. Serve almost as warm as coffee, don't let it boil, and you will share a Christmas tradition as old as Santa Claus.