White Wine Sangria

Sangria Sing-a-Long

Yeah, I love that Sangria wine.

Just like I love old friends of mine.

They tell the truth when they're mixed with the wine.

That's why I blend in the lemons and limes.

by Jerry Jeff Walker

Fruit Punch Bebida—Spanish Style

Sangria means bleeding in Spanish. It is derived from the word sangre, or blood. But as far as Sangria Blanca goes, my guess is the vampiric Count Dracula's opinion would judge the white wine concoction a tad too anemic for his personal taste. Evidence shows that the bloodsucking lush leaned more to the red corpuscle variety of wine fruit punch.

Traditionally, Sangría is typically made from red wine, lemon or orange fruit juices with their slices, brandy, sugar, and some spritzy soda water that is served chilled to freshen up a hot Spanish afternoon in Granada and cool down from a sweaty session of flamenco dancing. The great thing about Sangria is that there's almost no way to screw it up or make a mistake. For some Sangria basics, visit Sangria Recipes to learn more about this Spanish pick-me-up that puts some pop in your punch.

A Sangria Variation

Just because a red claret or Bordeaux is the traditional wine base for Sangria doesn't mean a person has to stick to tradition. People don't tend to be as rigid about their Sangria as they are about their Martinis, and in fact, just about anything goes. As you might imagine, a White Wine Sangria foregoes the usual red Rioja, Merlot, Zinfandel, or Syrah and employs a white wine instead. Beyond that the premise stays the same—wine, brandy (or other liquor such as rum, vodka, or fruit flavored brandy), sugar, fruit, and soda water. The following is a general roadmap on the white wine Sangria process.

White Wine Sangria Recipe

In a large pitcher or bowl suitable for the punch, blend the following ingredients:

• 1 Bottle of White Wine

Just about any fruity white wine will work fine, but a white Rioja or Albariño are good choices if you like to stick to Spanish protocol. Otherwise, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, or Chardonnay will do the trick just as nicely. Just about any white that is not too sweet, not too expensive, and not too oaky will do.

• Brandy (2-3 shots will invigorate the mix)

Don't be overly generous and conversely, don't skimp.

• 1-2 tablespoons of sugar

You can also use honey as a sweetener instead.

• 1-2 oranges (cut into wedges)

Squeeze the juice into the mix and toss in the wedges.

• 1 lemon (cut into wedges)

Squeeze the juice into the mix and toss in the wedges, hopefully without the seeds.

• 2 cups (16 oz.) soda water (or ginger ale if you like)

Add the carbonated liquid just prior to serving.

• 1 cinnamon stick (optional)

Stir to dissolve the sugar and taste for balance. Refrigerate overnight if possible to let the flavors come together. However, if not possible then there's nothing wrong with pouring it over a lot of ice at the last minute, adding some mint, sipping and smiling.

Off the Beaten Sangria Path

As explained previously, it's difficult to make a mistake when making Sangria. Even an inferior wine can be doctored up in Sangriía to mask its shortcomings. However, a bad wine is a bad wine and adding fruit juices cannot overcome major obstacles. Experiment with your white wine Sangría by altering the basic recipe with other ingredients.

Alcohol

Experiment with different types of white wine, a Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, a Riesling from Alsace, a Pinot Gris from Oregon, an unoaked Chardonnay from Australia, or an Orvieto from Italy. Or, go out on the ledge--use a sparkling Cava from Spain or any other Sparkling Wine that can liven the party punch up. Cut back on the soda water in that case. Regarding the spirit ingredient, almost anything will work, go ahead and substitute rum or vodka for the brandy, although I'd avoid any aromatic spirit such as gin. Orange-based liquers such as Grand Marnier or Triple Sec also add a nice dimension. Another tack is to use a fruit-flavored brandy or schnappes like a peach brandy, amaretto, kirsch, or cassis. You can also add Sherry as a substitute, with a Manzanilla or a Fino blending in nicely.

Fruit

Citrus fruit like oranges, lemons, and limes add zest and tangy acid for balance in the punch. However, there are no Sangria laws that prevent you from adding other fruit. Consider some of these other fruity temptations for your white wine Sangria.

• peaches
• strawberries
• blueberries
• apples
• pears
• kiwi
• mango
• papaya
• melon
• pineapple

It's best to slice the fruit into bite-size bits for easy consumption. ¡Olé!

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