Next time you plan a winter’s get together, try a splash of this mulled wine to begin with.

Ingredients

• 750 ml bottle red wine, merlot, shiraz or cabernet sauvignon
• 1 cinnamon quill
• 6 whole cloves
• 3-4 slivers fresh ginger
• pared rind and juice of one orange
• ¼ cup Ruby Port
• ½ tblsp honey (Manuka is nice here)

Method

1. Put the red wine, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, orange rind and juice in a saucepan. Heat gently but do not boil. Cover and remove from the heat and allow the spices to infuse for 30 minutes.
2. Reheat gently, add port and sweeten to taste with honey. Strain and serve warm in heatproof glasses.