Marks & Spencer have just announced their new star for Christmas, a white mulled wine and it seems like every newspaper in the country is running with the story. My own questions are why has it taken so long and why the surprise? Perhaps even, why red to start with?

All those questions assume you care that much about mulled wine in the first place and I do not. That said, it would appear that millions of folk do, which once again brings me back to the question of why it was decided that red should be the colour in the first place.

Mulled wine in many ways is a seasonal progression from pudding wines and while there are one or two dark ones, the classics - Sauternes, Barsac and the sweet harvest wines from the New World - are all white. Of course the most famous of the mulled wines is the German version Gluhwein, so beloved of Christmas market visitors, but the best serving suggestion I have is pour it down the loo and get a proper wine.

Anyway, fingers crossed that Marks & Spencer’s white version takes off even if the only tangible reason for wishing it well is to see off the red stuff!

Here are some decent wines to enjoy in the meantime

(Image: Malbec)

Mattius Ricitelli “Hey Malbec”, Argentina

A gorgeous malbec for the price from one of Argentina’s top young winemakers. Rich, lively autumn fruits with a generous finish of black pepper. Perfect with a steak.

Majestic £13.99 per bottle or £11.99 mix six

 

Vina Real Gran Reserva Rioja 2015

One of my all-time favourites and it’s on sale at de-Burgh so don’t miss out. Soft, seductive black fruits with spice, mocha and hints of granny’s antique leather couch. A cracker.

de-Burgh Wines £27.99 down to £24.99