Sangria is a classic summer drink that originates from Spain and Portugal. Traditionally, it is made with Spanish red wine, fresh seasonal fruits and a bit of soda. However, this popular drink can also be made with a variety of wines too. Find yourself with leftover wines at home? That can go into the Sangria pitcher. But to truly take your sangria to the next level, here are some tips and the best wines to make sangria.
How to Choose Your Wine
The best red wines for making Sangria are typically fruity, medium-bodied wines and low in tannins. They are Pinot Noir, Garnacha and Rosé.
You can also use white wines too, consider these light and refreshing options: Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc.
Opt for a bottle of good wine within your budget, and if you happen to have a highly prized wine, don’t use it for Sangria as the wine’s complexity and refinement is likely to get lost in the process.
Best Wine for Red Sangria
1. Pinot Noir
Light, fruity Pinot Noir is a classic, easy-drinking red wine with low tannins and a slightly sweet taste.
Waipara West Pinot Noir 2018 from New Zealand has notes of bright red fruits like cherry, raspberry and strawberry with dark chocolate and peppery finish. Well-balanced tannins and acidity.
2. Malbec
Malbec wine is known for its deep purple colour and full body. It is a small, dark variety of grape that originates in France but is now grown mostly in Argentina. Malbec is known for its jammy fruit flavours like blackberry, plum, and black cherry and its nuanced flavours such as milk chocolate, cocoa powder, violet flowers, leather, and, depending on the amount of oak ageing, a sweet tobacco finish.
Argentinian Malbec is a medium-bodied dry red wine with strong impressions of dark fruits on the nose and palate. Well-balanced and low in acidity.
3. Garnacha
Garnacha is a red grape variety widely planted in Spain and is often dubbed the Pinot Noir of the south. Rich with black cherry, spicy plum and summer berries, and warmed by cinnamon and star anise notes.
4. Rosé
Rosés, which are made from red grapes but do not get much contact with the skins, are also much less tannic than typical red wines.
Yellow Tail Rose from South Eastern Australia is crisp and delicate, with flavours of white peach, red cherries and strawberries. It is easy on the palate with a lingering fresh mouthfeel.
Best Wines for White Sangria
1. Riesling
Riesling is a light-skinned, aromatic grape of German origin and is known for producing white wines with expressive fruity, floral notes. It is refreshing, aromatic and delicious, with notes of bright citrus to luscious stone fruits and pineapple prevalent in young wines.
Graf Johann IV Riesling Halbtrocken 2017 from Germany is light, balanced and easy on the palate, with notes of apples and peaches.
2. Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is a white-wine grape originally from western France but now grown all over the world. It is typically high in acidity with mineral, grass, grapefruit and herbaceous notes.
The Yellow Tail Semillion Sauvignon Blanc from South Australia is light and refreshing with a crisp, verdant aroma. It has zingy passionfruit and grapefruit undertones.
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