Have you ever noticed the summer sun sets in shades of sangria? Ruby reds, pastel purples, zingy oranges.
While the aesthetic draw might be the warm array of colors, when crafting your sangria, it’s important to always use a quality wine. Select a wine you enjoy on its own. Large format bottles and boxes are perfect for a party, and large-batch sangria will give you more time to spend with friends and family, rather than playing bartender all night.
Sangria is endlessly customizable, but each starts out the same. A simple concoction of red or white wine combined with fresh fruit creates a beautiful marriage of flavors that stand alone perfectly without any other ingredients. The simplicity of this recipe makes creating a pitcher to store for the work week a breeze.
Even when creating a sangria in bulk, remember not every glass of sangria has to be the same—and that is where the beauty of this cocktail lies. Little nuances, like the addition of fruit juice or liqueurs, different fruits with different ripeness levels and even a splash of a little bubbly water or soda can bring new life and a unique experience to each glass and each sip.
Maple syrup can be a fun addition if you are looking for a sweeter end to your day. Those craving acidity can slice citrus fruits as both flavor and garnish, adding stunning visuals to your beverage. Strawberries, blackberries and blueberries create a sweet, tangy element. Spices, herbs, and other sweeteners such as simple syrups or brown sugar cultivate a complexity of flavors that can please even the toughest crowd.
Below are the best red wines ready to serve as agents of alchemy.
Our Picks:
Tempranillo
Tempranillo is Spain's signature red variety. Wines are known to be fruity and fleshy, while also having very complex, savory flavors.
Garnacha
Garnacha and Grenache are the same grape variety, known by different names in different regions. "Garnacha" is the Spanish name for the grape, while "Grenache" is the French name. The grape is believed to have originated in the region of Aragon in northeastern Spain.
Shiraz
Syrah is typically bold and full-bodied, with aromatic notes of smoke, black fruit, and pepper spice. Stylistically, it can be round and fruity, or dense and tannic. And in warmer New World regions like Australia, Syrah might be called Shiraz.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The world’s most popular red wine grape is a natural cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc from Bordeaux, France. Cabernet Sauvignon is loved for its high concentration and age-worthiness.
