Burnt Wine

On cold December mornings, there is nothing better than toasted, butter-slathered  panettone, the large cylindrical, Italian bread that is studded with candied fruits and raisins. With its church-dome-like rounded top, panettone is traditional at Christmas time and can be found at just about every gourmet store in this country come December. This year, have panettone with more than breakfast. In the Piedmont region of Italy, the bread is served in the late afternoon (or on Christmas Eve) with vin brulè (local dialect for “burnt wine”).  Akin to English mulled wine, vin brulè is spiced and lightly sweetened wine, served steaming hot.