Hot Scarlet Wine Punch

1. For spice bag, cut a double thickness of 100-percent-cotton cheesecloth into a 6-inch square. Place cinnamon and cloves in the center of the cloth. Bring the corners together and tie closed with clean kitchen string. In a 3-1/2- or 4-quart slow cooker combine spice bag, cranberry juice, and brown sugar.

2. Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 3 to 4 hours or on high-heat setting for 1 to 1-1/2 hours.

3. Remove the spice bag and discard. If using low-heat setting, turn slow cooker to high-heat setting. Stir wine into punch. Cover and cook for 30 minutes more. Serve immediately or keep warm, covered, on low-heat setting for up to 2 hours. Ladle punch into heatproof cups. If desired, garnish with cranberries on skewers.Makes 14 (4-ounce) servings.