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What Are The Ultimate Best Wines For Sangria?

Do you want a refreshing, fruity summer drink? Sangria is simple to make and fun to drink with friends. You may know the 7 deadly sins of choosing a good wine.. but since Sangria is a mixed wine cocktail there are different rules.

When I first tried sangria, I thought it was the best drink I’d ever had! And I’ve always wanted to make it at home to share with my family and friends.

So I’ve been looking for the best wines for sangria on the internet. And there are different ways to make it.

One of the best things about sangria recipes is that you may use different wines in the mix.

But first, we will talk a little history of sangria.

The History Of Sangria

wines for sangria the history

Sangria is a drink with a long history.  More than 2,000 years ago, the Romans made the first versions of sangria. 

The first sangrias were watered mixes of wine, water, herbs, and spices. Since the water was unsafe to drink at the time, the Romans would add anything to kill the bacteria.

The drink’s name is from the Spanish word “sangre,” which means “blood” and refers to the drink’s dark color.

They later added brandy and fruits to the wine to make it stronger and tasty.

Sangria became known in the United States at the 1964 New York World’s Fair. Those who went by the Spanish World area were served a tasty wine punch.

From there, it became the country’s picnic and summer party drink.

Wines You Shouldn’t Use to Make Sangria

wines for sangria the finished product

You can actually use any kind of wine for sangria. However, you should avoid using your expensive, high-end bottles of wine. Unless it’s a bottle that’s been open for a few days and won’t taste good.

When it comes to wines in a sangria, the main thing to remember is that they should be fruity, less tannic, and preferably not oaky.

You need wine, some sweetener like honey, a liqueur, soda or other non-alcoholic mixers, and fruit in sangria to make it taste good.

7 Top Wines To Use For Best Tasting Sangria

Here are some wines that you can start with when you’re a beginner at making sangria.

wines for sangria pinot noir
  1. Pinot Noir

Fruity and light Pinot Noir is a classic red wine with low tannins. It has a bit of sweet flavor that is pleasant to drink. It features cherry, raspberry, strawberry, blackberry notes, cloves, and hibiscus on the finish.

wines for sangria garnacha
  1. Garnacha

Garnacha is known for its low tannins, rich red fruit flavors, and acidity. It’s a popular sangria ingredient because of its rich natural berry flavors, which go well with fresh fruit.

wines for sangria tempranillo
  1. Tempranillo

Tempranillo has a deep color, a rich texture, and aromas of black cherries, blackberries, and cola. To avoid a strongly oaked flavor, look for Tempranillos labeled “Crianza” or “Joven.”

wines for sangria primitivo
  1. Primitivo or Zinfandel

Primitivo is mainly grown in Italy, while Zinfandel is grown in California. Both have a rich, jammy fruit flavor: cherries, strawberries, raspberries, raisins, and spice and floral aroma.

wines for sangria nero d'avola
  1. Nero d’Avola

Nero d’Avola is a dark, soft, and juicy wine from southern Italy. Nero d’Avola also makes great dry rosé, perfect for lighter sangrias.

wines for sangria douce noir
  1. Bonarda or Douce Noir

Bonarda is usually less expensive, providing great value for its rich, fruity taste. You can mix it with other varieties, but it is also delicious on its own, with rich raspberry and plum flavors.

wines for sangria malbec
  1. Malbec Wine

It is versatile and easy to drink, with rich, inky-red color and a silky texture. It’s a medium to full-bodied wine with a deep, dark fruit scent and a smooth chocolatey finish. Malbec has a high tannin content. Choose an older wine with softer tannins.

Tips For Making The Best Sangria

wines for sangria tips
  • Sweeten your sangria with more fruit juice, simple syrup, agave nectar, or a dash of tonic water if the wine you chose is too dry for you.
  • Make the sangria a day ahead of time so the flavors can integrate, similar to how you marinate meat to make it taste better the next day.
  • Choose a bottle that you’d be happy to drink on its own.

People Also Ask

Is sangria high in alcohol?

It really depends on how the sangria is produced. A sangria made with wine and peach brandy has more alcohol than one made with just wine. The law of the European Union gives you a general idea of the percentage of alcohol: Sangria-branded beverages must be less than 12% alcohol by volume (vol).

Can sangria make you drunk?

Yes. When you drink a lot of Sangria, it can make you drunk.

Can you eat the fruit in sangria?

The sliced fruit that comes with sangria soaks up the flavors and tastes great, but it can be hard to eat from the bottom of the glass. 

Conclusion

Have a toast for your refreshing sangria drink. Invite your friends over for a barbeque party and make your sangria.

On hot summer days, cold sangria is surely refreshing. It’s also ideal for cooler days, thanks to the red wine base and various seasonal fruit options.

You don’t have to go out and buy the most expensive bottle of wine. Whatever you have will make a tasty and refreshing sangria.

I also love making cheese platters to pair with sangria. You should try it for yourself too!

Before I forget, here are also some pizza and wine pairings. And some tips for storing your wines correctly

What do you think is the best dish to pair with sangria? Let me know in the comments!