flipSpiced Honeyed Rhine Wine (Lutertranc)
Spiced Honeyed Rhine Wine (Lutertranc)
Why this dish? Rhine wines were the pride of the Empire and flowed at Henry IV's feasts in Worms and Speyer. Spiced and honeyed, this drink closed banquets and honored distinguished guests.
A warm white Rhine wine, perfumed with honey, cinnamon, ginger and pepper, then strained through cloth. The medieval ancestor of our mulled wines, a prestige beverage.
Drink with me, you who are received at my court. This wine was born on the slopes of the Rhine, in lands that are mine, and I had it gently heated, never brought to a great boil, else it loses its soul. Honey, cinnamon and ginger are steeped in it, and that pepper which follows me everywhere, then it is poured through a clean cloth until it is clear as amber. Hold your goblet with both hands: this is how friendship is sealed, or quarrels appeased.
- •White Rhine wine — one pitcher (base)
- •Honey — to taste (sweetness)
- •Cinnamon — one stick (spice)
- •Ginger — one piece (warming spice)
- •Pepper and cloves — a few grains (prestige spices)
Spiced Honeyed Rhine Wine (Lutertranc)
A warm white Rhine wine, perfumed with honey, cinnamon, ginger and pepper, then strained through cloth. The medieval ancestor of our mulled wines, a prestige beverage.
Why this dish? Rhine wines were the pride of the Empire and flowed at Henry IV's feasts in Worms and Speyer. Spiced and honeyed, this drink closed banquets and honored distinguished guests.
Drink with me, you who are received at my court. This wine was born on the slopes of the Rhine, in lands that are mine, and I had it gently heated, never brought to a great boil, else it loses its soul. Honey, cinnamon and ginger are steeped in it, and that pepper which follows me everywhere, then it is poured through a clean cloth until it is clear as amber. Hold your goblet with both hands: this is how friendship is sealed, or quarrels appeased.
Ingredients (period version)
- White Rhine wine — one pitcher (base)
- Honey — to taste (sweetness)
- Cinnamon — one stick (spice)
- Ginger — one piece (warming spice)
- Pepper and cloves — a few grains (prestige spices)
Ingredients
- Dry white Rhine wine (riesling) — 750 ml (base)
- Honey — 3 tbsp (sweetness)
- Cinnamon stick — 1 (spice)
- Fresh ginger, sliced — 4 rounds (spice)
- Black peppercorns — 5 (signature spice)
- Cloves — 3 (spice)
Method
- Pour the wine into a saucepan with the honey and all the spices.
- Heat gently without boiling for 10 to 15 min to infuse the aromas.
- Strain through a fine cloth or sieve.
- Serve hot in cups, in reasonable quantity.
How it was made : Spiced and honeyed wines (clarés, lutertranc, ancestors of hypocras) were honorary beverages served to nobles. Distilled spirits were not yet produced in Europe; everything relied on wine and mead. Cane sugar being extremely rare, honey provided sweetness.
The contemporary twist : Serve a non-alcoholic version with hot spiced white grape juice, so the whole family can toast 'To the Emperor'.
Henri IV · Charactorium
