I totally know what you mean! I first enjoyed gluhwein while in Nuremburg during December for the Christmas Market and that does really set the stage -- temperature and all! I wish WDW sold the big gingerbread cookies with the pressed pictures on the front; I did buy a gingerbread boy from the holiday booth in Epcot's Germany, but it wasn't quite the same....
DH says that I should tell people, before I ever give my opinion on the flavor/taste of anything, that I like Beverly.... But it sounds as though you weren't disappointed, since you'd like to make it yourself!