Place all the ingredients apart from the alcohol into a small-medium sized saucepan and add just enough wine to cover the sugar, perhaps about 100ml.
Heat on medium until the sugar has dissolved, stirring well.
Lower the heat and simmer for 2 minutes, to allow the spicy citrus flavour to develop slightly.
Add the rest of the wine, Cointreau and brandy and continue to heat on low heat. After 5 minutes or so, it should have warmed through and be ready to be served. I like to leave it on the lowest heat setting and top up my glass as needed.
Notes
If you are serving a crowd, have a large saucepan and get 3-4 bottles going on the stove and just leave it there and serve up to guests as needed.