Gluhwein: Something to be happy about on this dark day

It might be a little early in the year for this, but I'm cold, and well.... I won't go into it.

This is a fabulous German version of the British mulled wine. Enjoy.


Ingredients

4 quarts cheap red wine
1 pint brandy (other liquors CAN NOT be substituted. Gin is right out.)
1 cup granulated sugar (do not use sugar cubes or powdered sugar!!!)
6 cinnamon sticks, crumbled but not ground
16 cloves, whole
1/4 tsp allspice
1/8 tsp mace
Juice of 1 ripe valencia orange


Directions

Pour the wine into a large pot and begin heating over low heat.
As it begins to warm, add sugar and spices. Stir until sugar is dissolved.
Add the brandy.
Add the orange juice.
Simmer for one hour but DO NOT BOIL.
Serve hot.