Make a Better Sangria With These Great Red Wines
There's no better way to end a warm day than with a glass of fruity, refreshing sangria. Thankfully, it's easy to make with just a few ingredients. While there are lots of riffs on this popular drink, most sangrias recipes start with a mix of the same basic ingredients: wine, fruit, some kind of liquor (typically brandy) and a sweetener. But how do you narrow down all the varieties of red wine to find the best red wines for sangria?
One way to shop is by region: While no one knows exactly who first invented this fruity punch, it was popular in the Roman Empire (on the land that is modern-day Spain) for thousands of years—maybe even as far back as 1,100 B.C.! While the rest of Europe caught on and were drinking their own wine punches by the 1700s, Americans didn't become obsessed until Spain's pavilion at the 1964 World's Fair served it. To honor that tradition, many wine experts will recommend picking a red wine from Spain.
Sangria might be traditionally thought of as a summer drink, but there's no reason you can't serve it during colder months, too. After all, a big punch bowl of winter sangria is an easy way to make cocktails for a crowd during a holiday party!
Below are five of the best red wine varietals to use in any sangria recipe, no matter what season or occasion.
Tempranillo Wine
Reach for a Tempranillo if you want to use a wine varietal native to Spain. It's medium-bodied and not too sweet, making it a perfect base for this beloved punch.
Garnacha Wine
This Spanish wine is made with Pinot Noir grapes. It's a popular choice in sangria thanks to its strong natural berry notes—they pair great with fresh fruit!
Malbec Wine
Although a Spanish fine is fitting for sangria, you don't have to go with one to make a good drink! Malbec is a great inexpensive red wine varietal that's popular in other parts of the world.
Monastrell Wine
This Spanish wine, also known as Mourvedre, is for those who want to go bold: Monastrell typically has much deeper flavors and more tannins than the other reds on this list.
Zinfandel Wine
Red Zinfandel, popular in California, makes a great sangria wine thanks to its super fruity notes.
