🍷 Christmas market

A Christmas market is a winter festive market in Europe. It runs in December, in the last weeks before Christmas. Wooden stalls are set up in town squares, trees are decorated, and toys, sweets, gifts and crafts are sold. The custom came from German-speaking countries, where such markets have been known since the late Middle Ages.

In cold weather people drink mulled wine at the market, hot wine with spices. It is made from red wine warmed with cinnamon, cloves, orange and sugar. In Germany and Austria it is called Glühwein. It is served in mugs that warm the hands. There are also alcohol-free versions, for example with apple juice.

The market is tied to mulled wine, and the drink has become its symbol. The same markets attract tourists to Strasbourg, Vienna, Nuremberg and other cities. Sausages, pastries, roasted chestnuts and cheese are sold alongside. Like any alcohol, mulled wine is best drunk in moderation.