In this period of the four weeks prior to Christmas in Germany.....Gluhwein or mulled wine....is often seen in markets or served at private parties.
The best description of it? Red wine....with various spices added (occasionally raisins), served hot or warm.
It's mostly in the traditional form of alcohol, but if you ask....there are often non-alcoholic versions which can be offered (even to kids).
Warming you up in a outdoor and chilly environment? Yes. Getting you dopey drunk? One single cup won't do it. If you were to consume three to five cups in a short period of time? Maybe. Some Germans would suggest that the heated wine gets into your system quicker, and that's one reason to avoid more than one cup. The alcohol content often differs....meaning you could have a cup with five-percent alcohol, or one with nine-percent alcohol.
Quality? This gets into a big long debate. If you walk into a major grocery, you can generally buy the single bottles (giving you around five to six cups). Most would prefer to sell it to you in six-pack boxes. The quality stuff....probably goes for 20 to 30 Euro for a six-pack case. The cheaper stuff would go for the 15 to 20 Euro for a six-pack case. Premium stuff made in Sweden and selling for 10 Euro a bottle? Well....the typical German would laugh and just suggest that it's Gluhwein....not some premium drink....that you are wasting your money.
Any reason to avoid it? Well....if you have sugar issues....skip it (it's loaded with sugar). I'd also go and suggest that if this is bitter cold (say below freezing and windy)....standing around for twenty minutes is not that smart in an open area.
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