Best mulled wines to warm your cockles this Christmas

M&S mulled wine is a scrumptiously easy-drinking delight. It offers a harmonious blend of spices, with a particularly delightful touch of clove. It has enough body to stand up to the level of spice, and it’s beautifully balanced.

To enhance the experience, simply serve it with a slice of orange or grated orange zest, and you’ll be all set to enjoy a fantastic holiday treat.

While you might have reservations about the quality of a £3 wine, Tesco Vineyards mulled wine is worth a try. To enhance its richness, consider adding 150ml of ruby port to the pot while warming it up, and you’ll have a winner on your hands. Without the port, it may feel slightly thin at 5 per cent ABV, and lacking that cosy blanket of plush fruit, but with the addition of port, it transforms into a richer, more satisfying option with great spice notes. Serving it with a slice of orange and cloves completes the experience.

Waitrose’s own-brand mulled wine is consistently great. You can rely on it to be a decent choice for the festive season. It’s easy-drinking with a soft, plush texture, boasting a delightful array of dark fruit flavours. The real magic happens with its lovely balance of fruit, orange peel and cloves, making it perfect for those who aren’t huge fans of intense spices.

However, for spice enthusiasts, you can easily kick it up a notch by adding some star anise and cinnamon to the pot as it warms through. The price is excellent, making it a fantastic all-around option for holiday celebrations.

This mulled wine is great on the nose, juicy and fruity with buckets of spice and citrus notes. While it may feel slightly thin on the palate due to its low alcohol content, this is where its quaffable nature shines. Don’t let the somewhat unappealing label deter you – this low-alcohol version is a great choice for those seeking a milder experience.

Felix Solis’ gluhwein is Christmas in a glass. This mulled wine delivers jammy dark fruit flavours on the sweeter side, complemented by cinnamon, cloves and a lovely citrus lift. If you want to elevate the experience further, consider adding a touch of brandy for an even more delightful concoction.

Harvey Nichols’ mulled wine is the priciest option on our list, but for good reason. It boasts organic, German grapes and stunning spice, including allspice, which adds another layer of complexity. This mulled wine has a lighter, lifted style compared with other offerings but offers a generous flavour profile that is simply gorgeous to drink. It strikes a perfect balance between sweetness and spice. The bottle’s unique design also makes it a lovely gift option – a standout choice for those willing to invest a bit more in their holiday libations.