Hey there, Black Star Farms wine fans! Can you believe it’s already October? Time sure flies when you are having fun, and this month is one of the most exciting for us in the wine industry. With October comes the long-awaited harvest and highly anticipated fall color change, making it the busiest time for the wineries in the Traverse Wine Coast. Look for a harvest update later in October.
This month also kicks off our beloved mulled wine season. That’s right; mulled wine is back! We will be serving mulled wine/cider for $6/glass (Saturdays and Sundays only) at both of our Traverse City area tasting rooms.
If you have never tried mulled wine or need an easy, fool-proof recipe, you are in luck! Not only are we sharing our recipe, but we also have several wines and ciders available that are perfect for making this warm fall treat.
First, you need to start with a suitable base. So following are a few of our favorite wines and ciders to use.
Red House Artisan Red
This wine is an interesting blend of vinifera and hybrid varieties. It is a fun and fruity, no-hassle wine that can be served at room temperature or slightly chilled. Semi-sweet in style, it possesses deep berry flavors and soft tannins. Bonus, it is also a perfect base for your favorite sangria recipe!
Black Star Farms Cherry Wine
This is a delightful semi-dry wine made from all Northern Michigan cherries. It has a wonderful combination of sweet and tart cherry flavors with a refreshing finish. Dark red fruit aromas and a hint of spice make this a perfect wine to mull!
Black Star Farms Hard Apple Cherry Cider
With just the right amount of sweetness, this cider uniquely combines the fresh flavors of local apples and cherries. A hint of tartness makes it a perfect pairing for the autumn weather.
Black Star Farms Hard Apple Cider
This cider is made from a blend of eight different apples. When served cold, it is refreshing like a honey crisp apple from the farmer’s market! When mulled, it becomes sweeter and more aromatic. It is perfect for tailgates, nights by the fire, or after a long day of raking leaves!
Red House White
For our friends that may not be a fan of red wine or hard cider, this blended white wine was made to reflect the variety of the region. As a result, it has a balanced presentation on the palate, appealing to dry and semi-dry wine drinkers alike. It’s excellent chilled but also works well as a warm, spiced wine to enjoy during the cooler months.
Ready to start making your own mulled wine or cider? Check out our favorite recipe below.
1 bottle of your preferred Black Star Farms wine or cider
8 oz of water
½ cup of sugar
½ tsp of cinnamon
¼ tsp of clove (ground or whole)
A dash or two of ground nutmeg
Combine ingredients in a saucepan and stir well. Heat gently, without boiling, and do not stir again. Once it reaches your preferred temperature, skim off spices, serve and enjoy!
Pro-tip: Add a shot of Black Star Farms Apple or Cherry Brandy to your glass for a little more flavor and intensity!
Happy mulling!
