Sangria
Definition - What does Sangria mean?
Sangria is a wine cocktail made with the base of a young wine, with a spirit added along with seasonal fruit.
There are variations of red Sangria; the mix often depends on the season and what is available regionally. White sangria is made with orchard fruits and citrus blended with white sherry and/or triple sec with a sweetener. Another version using a bubbly white wine instead of basic white wine is also popular.
WineFrog explains Sangria
Sangria is a blended drink similar to a cocktail, however, it's base
spirit is white or red wine, and it originated in Portugal and Spain.
The more popular version, red sangria, typically starts with a simple
red wine, usually a young one, added to a pitcher with sliced fruits,
like apples, oranges, and lemons. On occasion, pears, kiwi, and melon
are also added. Flavored soda is then added with a sweetener such as
sugar, simple syrup or honey in some places. The final touch includes a
bit of brandy, which is a distilled product often made from wine or the
remnant of wine pressings. The method by which brandy is made, also varies
by region.
Regardless of the recipe, the wine utilized for Sangria is best if it is a young wine or one which has not been oaked or aged. This style of wine will often blend better with the fruit and other additions, as oaked wine tends to be bitter when chilled.
