Cold winter nights mean roaring fires, bulky sweaters and mulled wine. This hot, spiced wine makes you forget blustery winds, icy rain and heavy snows while warming you up.

The exact location of the birthplace of this wine remains unknown, although records show it existed in ancient Greece, Rome and Northern Europe. The spiced wine most people know is from Northern Europe. It's also called gluhwein in Germany. Originally, people added spices and juice to wine to make it taste better. For example, in Victorian-era England, the English would add spices to French wine make the wine more palatable.

Mulled wine is often associated with fruits and spices. Cardamom, star anise, cinnamon and cloves are the normal spices used. For fruit, it is usually orange slices or orange peel. When it comes to which wine to use, make sure it is a full-bodied, strong wine to keep the flavors at the front. Malbec and syrah are excellent options. Red wine is the traditional choice, although some variations use white wine like chenin blanc and moscato. How to serve gluhwein

Spiced wine should warm you up, so serve it warm or hot. Just heat up a bottle of Sweetland Spiced Wassail in a slow cooker or over the stove and you're good to go. Top it all off with a garnish for added flair, such as an orange slice or cinnamon stick.

Most wines pair well with food, but it's not mandatory to serve mulled wine with snacks. This type of wine is ideal for drinking on its own to enjoy the flavors and depth. You can also pour a glass of Tomasello Broomstick Brew alongside baked brie if you want a savory snack. Gather around the fire with your friends and family and serve up a batch of hot fruit wine to chase away the winter chill. Shop Drizly or click these handy links to search for Drizly in your city and look for liquor stores on Drizly near you.