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Sangria-
Summer's Perfect Punch
by ERIN ROSAR, Sommelier
Sangria
has been cooling the
palates of its admirers
since the early 1700's.
The drink was originally
created in Spain as
a red wine based punch,
which had brandy and
fruit added in order
to create a festive
drink.
Sangria was served all
across Europe during
the 19th century where
it was referred to as
Claret Cup Punch, due
to its red wine base.
(Red wines from the
region of Bordeaux are
at times called Claret's
and this name made reference
to this term.)
No fashionable hostess
during the 1700 and
1800's in Europe would
consider not serving
this delicious drink
at her event.
Sangria
was first brought
to North America in
1964 when the representing
Spanish Tent served
it at the World's
Fair in New York City
as a welcoming drink
for their visitors.
It was an over-night
success and soon every
restaurant in the
city and across the
country had their
own Sangria recipe
to share with their
patrons.
Sangria
doesn't just have
to be made with red
wine as you can use
white or sparkling
wine styles if you
enjoy them and want
try something a bit
different. When Sangria
is made with white
wine it is referred
to as Sangria Blanco.
In the south of Spain
Sangria is called
Zurra where it is
blended with peach
and/or nectarine nectar
and served with added
fruit slices.
Some
of the fun of Sangria
is that it is never
the same twice. You
can add any fruits
that you enjoy and
try different wines
as the base. The trick
here though, is never
to make it with a
wine you wouldn't
drink in the first
place. Sangria is
usually prepared the
morning of the day
it is to be served
and then place in
the fridge or a cool
location until it
is ready to be served.
Serve chilled poured
over ice into the
glass of your choice.
Enjoy
with your favorite
friends on a sunny
deck with what ever
foods you feel like;
Sangria pairs with
almost anything from
potato chips to grilled
seafood, chicken or
steak.
Here
is my favorite Sangria
recipe - remember
to change it to fit
with what you like.
Erin's Favorite Sangria
Recipe!
½ cup of fresh
lemon juice
½ cup fresh
orange juice
½ white sugar
1 bottle red wine
- Spanish Rioja is
traditional but pick
your favorite here
¼ - ½
brandy - taste and
see
1 bottle sparkling
water - pour and taste
to see how much you
need
1 ½ cups cut
fruit slices - remember
they need to fit in
a glass so keep pieces
on the small side.
I like oranges, lemons,
peaches and strawberries
- watch limes, as
they can be too strong
and take over the
flavor use sparingly.
· Ice.
Pour
and mix all the ingredients
in a larger pitcher
and let sit for the
day together in the
fridge, so that the
flavors have a chance
to come together into
a delicious blend.
Make sure all the
sugar is dissolved.
Serve poured over
ice in the glass of
your choice and enjoy!
(For white styles
of Sangria I prefer
to stay with oranges,
lemons, limes (just
a few) and peaches
for the fruit.)
If
you have any wine
questions please contact
Erin at erosar@wgwines.com
and sign up for her
monthly wine reviews
and newsletter at
www.wgwines.com
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