I tested the supermarket mulled wines and the best was Christmas in a mug – and it cost less than a fiver

THERE’S no need to ponder how much to spend on fab festive drinks this Christmas – we’ve done the hard work for you.

As the temperatures drop, you may be eyeing up a bottle of warming mulled wine to get you in the seasonal spirit.

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And the good news is you don’t have to spend a fortune.

Here, Laura Stott rates a selection of ready-made mulled wines with marks out of five – so you’ll know where best to splash your cash.

Cheers!

The Best Mulled Wine

£4.50, morrisons.com 5/5

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MULLED wine is Christmas in a mug, made with a red wine base, spices and served hot with fruit slices.

This treat from Morrisons – recently given top billing by the Good Housekeeping awards – is a steal at the price.

With a ­Spanish red as its foundation, it’s rich and comforting, with plenty of spicy clove and nutmeg scents and aromas.

Just perfect for ­sipping around the tree.

Gingerbread Mulled Wine

£3.99, Aldi 3/5

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SOMETHING a bit different from Aldi, this gingerbread mulled wine comes at a bargain price.

Once warmed, you get a slightly sweeter mix.

There’s plenty of the usual spices but with the addition of sweet, sparky ginger.

A bit one-note as the ginger dominates.

Try with some chunks of crystallised ginger to add fire and add a twist of lime for a swanky-looking Christmas cocktail.

Chocolate Mulled Wine

£6.50, sainsburys.co.uk 4/5

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IF you fancy something a bit different, Sainsbury’s has combined a trio of Christmas faves – chocolate, liqueur and mulled wine.

Not unlike a very boozy hot chocolate, it contains a heady mix of brandy, red wine and mocha flavours.

At 15 per cent abv, this is potent compared to other bottles.

If you have a sweet tooth you’ll love it – but those who don’t may find it a little sickly.

Mulled Wine

£3, asda.com 4/4

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THIS is a great wine for a rock-bottom price.

It smells incredible when warmed in a pan, with rich, heavy aromatics of cinnamon, nutmeg and clove.

It is smooth and mellow to drink, with a nice citrussy tang that slips down a treat.

At this price it’s well worth getting a few bottles in to see you through the festive period while saving you plenty of pennies.

A festive bargain.

Vineyards Mulled Wine

£3, tesco.com 3/5

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A BUDGET, rather basic bottle from Tesco but you can’t argue with the price.

The label doesn’t give much information on the red plonk used but it tastes decent.

There’s a fair amount of spice, lots of fruity flavour and you get a nice waft of cinnamon as you warm it.

In a cup with lots of fruit, it goes down easily.

It’s no award-winner but it is a perfectly drinkable penny saver.

Harvest Fruits Wine

£3.75, Iceland 3/5

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RICH, fruity and spicy, this is a very decent drop from Iceland at a good price.

A very intense red wine base will appeal to those who love a drop of the good stuff, and there’s plenty of flavour from star anise and cloves.

A bit darker and smokier than some offerings, this is the cigar lounge of ready-made mulled wines but no less enjoyable for it.

Heat it up and enjoy by a roaring fire.

Red Mulled Wine

£6, M&S 4/5

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I LOVED the festive packaging.

While it’s a touch more expensive than some others, this is still a very affordable bottle at £6, and it would be ideal for taking to parties where you don’t want to turn up empty-handed.

Very aromatic when you heat it, and it filled the house with lovely seasonal scents.

Not too sweet nor too spicy, it’s very well-balanced and eminently gluggable.

Christkindl Mulled Wine

£5.99, Lidl 4/5

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LIDL’S offering is in the style of a traditional German gluhwein, a Bavarian market favourite that blends red wine and traditional spices.

It smells incredible when you warm it on the stove.

Slightly pricier than some of the others, with a higher ABV too, but for the price this is top quality, complex, fruity and smooth.

Comes in a gorgeous bottle that would also make it a lovely gift.

This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk