German Erdbeer Bowle (Strawberry Wine Punch)

Germans often serve a delicious Bowle at summer parties. There are many, many variations on a bowle, here is but one variation I found in a special summer issue of Kreativ Kuche magazine. I have translated this directly from the German. I recommend trying a German Riesling with this, but any white wine you prefer will do just as nicely. When serving Bowle, your German host usually will provide small picks along with your punch glass - the picks are for stabbing the wine soaked berries floating in your glass so you can eat them. The berries are, in my opinion, the best part! Plan to start this just a few hours before your guests arrive as this does not keep.

• Ready In: 3 hrs
• Serves: 10

Ingredients

• 1  kg fresh strawberries
• 100  g powdered sugar
• 1⁄2 bunch lemon balm leaves (or lemon rind, see note in instructions)
• 4 (3/4liter) bottles white wine
• 1 (3/4liter) bottle  champagne

Directions

1. 2-3 hours before your guests arrive, wash the strawberries,drain well and pat dry.
2. Halve the berries, then place them in the bottom of large punch bowl or glass pitcher.
3. Sprinkle the powdered sugar over them.
4. Rinse the lemon balm leaves and shake them dry.
5. Pluck the leaves from their stems and add them to the berries.
6. Pour one bottle of wine over the berry mixture, cover, and cool in the fridge.
7. When the guests have arrived, add the remaining wine and the champagne.
8. Lemon balm is an herb in the mint family common in Europe; if unavailable then use a vegetable peeler to cut about 5-6 long narrow curls of lemon rind in place of the balm (remove before serving).