Last Updated on March 1, 2024 by Lydia Martin
Sangria is the ultimate summer punch, a vibrant blend of fresh fruit and good wine. There are wines that you should not use for the party punch, but what type of wine for sangria should you use?
While it is common knowledge that it is traditionally made from red wine, some wines are perfect to use for sangria. Read on to find out.
4 Types of Wine Perfect For Sangria
4. Sparkling
Bubbles improve everything, so sparkling wine can be a good option the next time you make sangria.
For a sparkling sangria, you can snag a bottle of sparkling wine that will give you a refreshing fizz and acid-driven palate.
You can choose between champagne, prosecco, cava, and other sparkling wines. It will add more sweetness and texture to the sangria.
3. Rosé
Rosé wine can be one of the wines you can use to make your sangria. Rosé is refreshing, light, and full of delicate and fruity flavor.
It leans on the fruity side, so you can expect notes of raspberry, cherry, strawberry, citrus, and fresh flowers. Opt for fruit-forward pink wines from Spain or California.
It tends to be lighter, but it offers a lovely range of dry, savory to sweet taste, so it will complement well with different fruits.
Based on Kara Flaherty, the Beverage Director of restaurant group Winslow’s Table and Vicia, “Rosé wine is for those who are not a fan of citrus.”
2. White
White wine is an upgrade to your traditional sangria that originated in Spain. It does not make you contend with tannins, so it would be fair game to use it in sangria but make sure to avoid oaky ones.
White wine is citrus-forward and has rich notes of freshly cut grass and stone fruits.
You may want to try the Watermelon White Sangria, a mixture of watermelon, raspberries, peaches, St. Germain liqueur, brandy, and white wine like Sauvignon Blanc.
1. Red Wine
Red wine is what you can consider the traditional wine used to make sangria, and you can never go wrong with its taste.
A good red wine will be the star ingredient of sangria, so you should know better and avoid the high tannins.
The red wine should be fruity and medium-bodied. Avoid getting wines with high tannins because they may detract from the vibrant juiciness of the fruits you will mix with them.
It offers flavors like cedar, cherry, plum, and vanilla, which taste amazing in sangria.
Read: History of Winemaking
Factors To Consider
Inexpensive
There is nothing wrong with opening a new bottle of wine to make sangria, but you should get inexpensive wines as much as possible.
You will just squander expensive, high-end wine bottles since you will combine sugar, fruits, brandy, and juices to make this drink.
Unoaked
Sangria is a fruit-forward wine punch, so when choosing the type of wine, you must avoid oaked wine.
Oak imparts different flavors like clove, nutmeg, vanilla, and spices [1] that will not blend well with fruits that you soak into the punch.
Light To Medium Bodied
It would be a good choice to get light to medium-bodied wines when making sangria.
Avoid sky-high alcohol content because it may clash with the fruity elements of the sangria. Light and fruity wines will mix seamlessly with all sangria’s ingredients.
Low In Tannins
Tannins are natural compounds that you can find in grape skins, stems, and seeds, and they can make wine taste astringent or bitter [2].
It would be better to choose wine with low tannins so it will not taste weird when chilled or cold.
Cold high-tannin wine tastes extra-astringent, chalky, and weird. If your wine contains high tannins, let’s say Cabernet Sauvignon, you might attempt to counteract the bitterness by loading it with lots of sugar, so settle with low tannins.
Drinkable/Sippable
If you get a wine that is not sippable or drinkable, don’t expect your sangria to be.
While you want to stay on the budget, don’t just grab the cheapest wine on the liquor shelf; get those affordable but drinkable and sippable ones.
Remember that your wine is the star ingredient of your sangria.
Can You Make Your Own Wine For Sangria?
Yes, you can make your wine for sangria; however, winemaking can be complicated, and it may cost you more money if you make your wine for sangria instead of buying a decent bottle.
Read: Our Recommended Fruit Wines
How To Make Wine For Sangria At Home (For Beginners)
To make wine for sangria at home, gather and sterilize all the tools you will need to make wine.
Prepare the fruits you will use and place them in a fermentation bucket with a Campden tablet.
Add the yeast, sugar, nutrient, and other additives, then seal the bucket for fermentation.
Stir it a few times a day, strain out the solids and siphon the liquid for longer-term storage when the bubbling slows down.
Let it age for at least a month before bottling, then wait at least six months to one year to consume.
FAQs Related to What Type of Wine for Sangria?
What kind of wine is used for sangria?
Sangria is typically made with red wine, but you can also use white wine or rosé, depending on your taste preferences and the desired flavor profile.
Can I use any wine for sangria?
No, you cannot use any wine for sangria. When it comes to wine-making for beginners, it will help if you avoid oaky and buttery wines when making sangria at home. In addition, high alcohol content and full-bodied wine is not ideal for sangria because they will clash with the fruity elements in the wine punch.
Is dry or sweet wine better for a sangria?
Dry wine is better for sangria. Dry wine will balance out the sweetness of other ingredients. If you choose sweet wine, your sangria might be too sweet. You can also go with semi-dry and sweet wines but not super-dry wines.
Is there a specific type of red wine recommended for sangria?
While there’s no strict rule, fruity and medium-bodied red wines like Spanish Rioja, Garnacha, or Tempranillo are often preferred for red wine sangria.
Can I use any white wine for white sangria?
Yes, you can use a variety of white wines for white sangria, such as Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or Chardonnay, depending on your preference for dryness and flavor.
What about rosé wine for sangria?
Rosé wine can make a delightful base for sangria, offering a refreshing and fruity twist. Choose a dry or semi-sweet rosé with flavors that complement your chosen fruits.
Do I have to use expensive wine for sangria?
Not necessarily! Sangria is a versatile and forgiving drink that can be made with affordable wines. Choose a wine that you enjoy drinking but doesn’t break the bank.
Can I mix different types of wine in sangria?
Yes, you can experiment with mixing different types of wine to create unique flavor combinations in your sangria. Just be sure the flavors complement each other well.
Should I use sweet or dry wine for sangria?
It depends on your preference and the sweetness of other ingredients in your sangria. If using sweet fruits and mixers, a drier wine can balance the sweetness, while a sweeter wine can enhance fruity flavors.
Are there non-alcoholic alternatives for sangria?
Yes, you can make non-alcoholic sangria using grape juice, fruit juice, or sparkling water as the base. Add fresh fruits and herbs for flavor, and you’ll have a refreshing mocktail alternative.
Can I make sangria ahead of time?
Yes, sangria actually tastes better when allowed to sit and mingle flavors in the fridge for a few hours or overnight. This also makes it perfect for entertaining, as you can prepare it in advance.
Key Takeaways
There are different types of wine you can use for sangria. Whether you use red, sparkling, rosé, or white wine, it is important to remember to avoid high tannins, full-bodied, and oaky wine because it will ruin the taste of your wine punch.
You can also make wine for sangria if you are that adventurous. However, making one may require time, effort, money, and skill.
References:
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/food/love-it-or-hate-it-oak-is-important-in-wine-here-are-5-things-to-know/2019/08/16/
- https://www.thespruceeats.com/what-are-tannins-in-wine-3511353
