What is the best way to store mulled wine? Should I refrigerate it to minimise bacterial growth?

Question

I made the wine 2-3 weeks ago and have kept it in stoppered bottles at room temperature, before giving as gifts. I assumed room temp would be okay, seeing that red wine is not normally refrigerated, but I wondered if the handling and bottling process might have introduced contamination that could be minimised by colder storage.

Answer 1

The spices and alcoholic content should be enough to keep it from going bad.

Answer 2

Ingredients 2 Bottles of Red wine (a rough dark red is best) Country wines with plenty of tannin do well. Bilberry, damson, blackberry, black plum and blackcurrant. Why the rough wines do better than the good ones when mulling wines I'll never know but its a fortunate fact, and its the destiny for my elderberry which never quite made the grade. Four small oranges 1 Large lemon Orange rind Brown Sugar (or 2 table spoons of Honey) 12 Cloves 2 sticks of Cinnamon (Each 3 inches long) (Aniseed & Fennel optional) Instructions 1) Insert 4 cloves into each small orange 2) Grate the peal from the fourth orange and squeeze the juice into a cup 3) Grate the peel from the lemon and squeeze the juice into the cup of orange juice. 4) Add the grated orange & lemon peel and the three small oranges to into a pan 5) Add the Cinnamon sticks. (and optionally other spices such as Aniseed & Fennel) 6) Pour the bottles of wine into a pan and warm to about 60C (140F) (DO NOT BOIL). 7) If possible warm the gasses to be used 8) Add the orange & lemon juice 9) Add sugar or honey to taste, stiring while adding SERVE (If you would like to do this using an open fire whilst your muffins are toasting then do steps 1 - 9 and only warm the wine (say 40 - 50 C) Then each guest dips the heated iron poker into their drink to raise the temperature and to impart a ferrous taste. Always tap the poker first and trust that your poker is not toxic. This should overcome the winter cold and provide jollity and good cheer.

Answer 3

I never heard of anybody storing mulled wine. You open a bottle of red wine, pour it into a sauce pan with a lemon stuck with cloves, a cinnamon stick, add some lemonade (if you must) heat gently to simmering point. Spoon into warmed glasses and add a shot of brandy (not Cognac) to each glass. Then you drink it.

Answer 4

Room temperature should be fine.