At
its face value, it appears that the whole concept began in the 17th to 18th century. One
of the big issues for French wine makers at the time was a huge outbreak of Phylloxera.
This pest attacks the grape vines and really affected (major
understatement) the way the wine tasted.
|
People
turned against those who grew grapes
and made wine! |
When remembering the times, wine
was a staple part of the diet ! Life was hard
and relief was seldom. Wine drinking was a popular pastime, so
those living in Europe were devastated by the news.
Many
of the wisest men in the land, could not solve the problem of how to make the wine
drinkable |
|
People became desperate for an answer, but
none was to be found. However, as in every crisis their is a hero, some one who has the
answer.......
But Who would it Be....?
At Markaly's we know
that
|
Otto
Von Klinken |
|
was the Hero
responsible for the cure to the problem!
All because Otto had won 30
barrels of red wine in a card game at his local Inn. |
|
In those days wine was a lot cheaper than at today's
prices ! And as fate would have it, it was the most disgusting red wine
he had ever tried. It had been affected by the pest. Otto knew
that if he could improve its taste, he could drink the
wine.
The only person he knew that could help him was his trusty Wench
Katie!
| Wench Katie, a regular at the local Druids
gathering (last Sunday of the month), learnt that herbs and spices have powerful
abilities both in flavour and action!! Finally, by combining spices
with the wine, she had concocted a brew that smelt and tasted
great. |
|
|
The two set out to their local Inn to trial run the brew on a few local expert
drinkers! The result, a success !! The news travelled fast
and drinkers flocked to the Inn! |
Three days later there was an urgent knocking at the Von Klinken's
door.
Otto was greeted with the face of a desperate man. It was the local Inn
keeper.
"Thank the gods
your home Otto !
I am in desperate need of your help."
( that explains the face ! ) |
|
The inn keeper explained how he too had played cards with Happy Pierre
(the Frenchman), and had won a King's ransom in red wine. But when he got around to
trying it he was horrified. It was disgusting! But there was an even bigger worry
The problem was, he had cancelled his next wine order
with Grumpy Gareth (local Scotsman). got quite upset and told him to forget any
further association.
(or word to that effect) |
|
As upsetting as this conversation had been (in front of several patrons), he now
had the problem of what to do with the wine Mongrel Pierre (happy, but not
popular!) had given him.
|
It was so bad, that not even his
most derelict customer Rob the Rat-catcher would buy it! |
Otto stood and pondered for a second, when opportunity knocks who was
he not to answer? Here was a way to offload the wine and get in the good books with the
local inn keeper (not a bad thing).
"Okay" he said, "I will help you sell this wine, but after that you are
on your own!"
Soon Otto and Wench Katie were transforming
average and unpleasant wine, into an aromatic delight that left
happy, ruddy faces at the Inn!
The bad wine ran out, the Scotsman cooled down and the Innkeeper was no longer a
desperate man.
As time wore on the legend of this drink grew for Otto and his Wench
travelled far and wide making the Mulled Wine mix.
In their travels they were asked many times for the recipe, but Otto
being the astute business man, knew this was an idea that could sell for ever. For it is
well known that many a wine connoisseur, started their
career shortly after partaking in Otto's Mulled Wine Mix
!
|
He passed it down to the next
generation and started a tradition that is set to rise up once again and take its place in
the heart of wine drinkers and non wine drinkers everywhere. |
Reason being: that there would never be a shortage of
average or unpleasant wine.
Hence his Mulled
Wine Mix is still available today!
|
Of course! In
fact there are probably a lot more than the average wine drinker would
realise. Not only is the product made with 100% recycled
material, (execpt the spices!) it is Australian made for Worldwide
conditions! |
|
|
The
spices used in the mixture have powerful benefits. According to the world of aromatherapy. |
For example: Cassia is known as an excellent liver tonic
(Otto thinks this is great!), helps diminish life's pressures,
and warms the body.
Cassia is also
known to hold Aphrodisiac qualities
(Wench Katie is not complaining!) |
|
|
Juniper
was used by the French during the Black Plague as an
antiseptic. It has the ability to help cleanse the body after rich food and alcohol. (More
good news!) |
Combining these benefits
with the consumption
of wine is a perfect match!
In addition, it is the Most Inexpensive way to make not so great wine into an
enjoyable drink that is great,
Hot and Cold!
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Revised:
March 27, 2009. |
