Sangria is a delicious Spanish punch that infuses red wine with sliced fruits and citrus juices. An easy drink to mix, a good Sangria is entirely dependent on its ingredients. Using high-quality wine, you can mix something special for your friends.
The best red wines for Sangria are fruity and dry, with good acidity and low tannins. Red wine varieties that work the best for sangria are Garnacha, Tempranillo, Zinfandel, Bonarda, Rioja, or Nero d’Avola. We’ll list the best wines for Sangria to delight your guests and add spirits to your gathering.
The 10 Best Wines for Sangria
While you can make Sangria with different types of wine like white or rose, traditional Sangria is made with red wine. When selecting a red wine for making Sangria, you want to avoid wines that have high tannins or a heavy oak flavor. These are our favorites for making this festive drink:
Marques de Caceres Rioja Crianza
Marques de Caceres Rioja Crianza comes from the Rioja region of Spain. A full-bodied red wine, it has notes of plums, cherries, vanilla, and spices. Its rich, fruity flavors add more dimension to the Sangria, making it a fantastic wine choice. Marques de Caceres Rioja Crianza is also very affordable at 12$ a bottle.
Las Rocas Garnacha
A medium-bodied Garnacha, Las Rocas Garnacha has a higher alcohol level than other red wines. This Spanish wine has notes of cherries, berries, anise, flowers, and spices. This is the one if you want a traditional Spanish Garnacha for your Sangria. You can get a bottle for about $10, which is ideal for larger parties.
Division Gamay Noir
A lighter-bodied red wine that tastes similar to Pinot Noir, Division Gamay Noir comes from Oregon and its cooler climate. It has notes of red fruits, smoke, minerals, blackberries, and blueberries. It has a spritzy finish that is light and refreshing, making it an interesting choice for Sangria. You can pick up a bottle of Division Gamay Noir for around $30.
The Fableist Tempranillo
The Fableist Tempranillo is a full-bodied Tempranillo wine made from Spanish black grapes. It has strong notes of black currant, blueberries, and dark chocolate. A Paso Robles wine, The Fableist Tempranillo can be purchased for around $20.
West Pole Pinot Noir
West Pole Pinot Noir is a light-bodied red wine from the Sonoma Coast. The wine is made with grapes fermented with 30% whole clusters. This adds extra freshness and bold flavors. It has notes of cherry, raspberry, cranberry, hibiscus, clove, and sandalwood. A bottle typically sells for $35.
Bodegas Borsao Tres Picos
A limited edition Garnacha red wine, Bodegas Borsao Tres Picos hails from mountain vineyards in Spain. It has intense color and flavors, with blackberry, plum, leather, and vanilla notes. The tannins are soft and silky, which is ideal for mixing Sangria. You can buy a bottle of this rich Garnacha for about $15.
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Domaine Bousquet Malbec
Another affordable red wine, Domaine Bousquet Malbec hails from Argentina and has rich notes of dark berries, cassis, violets, and wood spices. Domaine Bousquet Malbec is made from organic grapes and makes for a great mixer. You can pick up a bottle for about $10, which makes it ideal for large parties where you are making a lot of Sangria.
Santa Julia Organica Malbec
Santa Julia Organica Malbec is another great red wine from Argentina. This organic wine has notes of cherries, red flowers, chocolate, and figs. Its distinct fruity flavor is an excellent mixer for Sangria because it blends well with the other fruits. Santa Julia Organica Malbec is fairly affordable at $14 a bottle.
Botijo Rojo Garnacha Tinta
An organic medium-bodied Garnacha from Spain, Botijo Rojo Garnacha Tinta is another excellent choice for making Sangria. It has tasting notes of sour cherries, strawberries, rhubarb, and spices that leave a peppery finish. In Sangria, this red wine blends well with the other fruit and has a tangy finish. You can get a bottle for around $20.
Tasca d’Almerita Lamuri Nero d’Avola Regaleali
Tasca d’Almerita Lamuri Nero d’Avola Regaleali is a Nero d’Avola from Sicily, Italy. It is a medium-bodied wine with compelling notes of raspberries, red fruits, leather, tobacco, and sweet spices. This Nero d’Avola has sweet tannins and a dry finish, making it ideal for Sangria. This bottle is usually priced at around $20.
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The Best Recipe for Making Traditional Sangria
Food & Wine has some spectacular Sangria variations that you’ll want to try. But if you want a traditional Sangria recipe, this is our favorite:
Ingredients:
1 Granny Smith or green apple, chopped
1 Orange, sliced thin
1 Lime, sliced thin
1/3 cup Raspberries or sliced strawberries
1 bottle of Red Wine
½ cup Orange Juice
¼ to ½ cup Cointreau, Grand Marnier, or brandy
Instructions:
- Place fruit in a large pitcher.
- Add the wine, orange juice, and Cointreau to the pitcher.
- Stir until well mixed.
- Chill overnight for optimal fruit infusion.
- Serve over ice and enjoy.
What is the Best Stemware for Sangria?
When serving Sangria, you want glassware that can hold a lot of liquid. You should own a beautiful universal glass that can accommodate a variety of wines and can work for Sangria. But if you want stemware that will enhance the wine experience, you should consider buying:
Don’t forget a beautiful pitcher that displays the elegantly sliced fruit infused in the Sangria.
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