| Perfect Pairings | | | | sangrias including Rea l Sangria at $6 and de la |
| August 8, 2007 – as published in the Beacon | | | | Costa Sangria at $10. It is worth noting the alcohol |
| News and Naperville Sun | | | | content of pre-bottled sangria. If it has more than |
| | | | 10 percent alcohol, the sangria will have more of a |
| We are now in the dog days of summer, when it | | | | wine flavor; less than 10 percent offers a more |
| is hot and muggy. A patio beverage that offers | | | | fruity experience. These pre-bottled sangrias offer |
| cool refreshment and summertime fun is sangria. | | | | convenience but, for many, the fun is the fresh |
| Let's explore. | | | | creation that fits your personal taste and budget. |
| History lesson | | | | It is best to prepare your sangria the day before |
| Created in Spain, sangria is a wine fruit punch that | | | | and let it sit in the refrigerator overnight to give |
| has been enjoyed by Europeans for hundreds of | | | | the flavors time to blend. The next day, pour |
| years. Sangria is traced back to the Rioja region, | | | | your creation into a pitcher with ice cubes and |
| which is considered Spain's greatest wine region. It | | | | add some fresh fruit. Some sangria lovers slice |
| is renowned for red wines made from the | | | | sections of fruit, place them on cookie sheets and |
| Tempranillo grape varietal. The blend of red wine | | | | put them in the freezer for a day or two. Adding |
| and fruit juice created a blood-red color. This color | | | | these frozen pieces of fruit helps keep the |
| inspired sangria's name, as it is derived from the | | | | sangria cold on warm summer days. |
| Spanish word for blood. | | | | Here are a few sangrias to try: |
| In 1964, sangria was introduced to the United | | | | DOWN UNDER SANGRIA - RED |
| States at the New York World's Fair. This cool | | | | 1 bottle of New Zealand or Aussie red wine |
| refreshing beverage was poured at the Spanish | | | | (shiraz would be good) |
| World area of the fairgrounds and was an | | | | 2 cups of ginger ale, 7 Up or club soda |
| immediate success. Based on this popular | | | | 4 kiwis, peeled and sliced |
| reception, this beverage was soon imported under | | | | 1/4 cup fresh lime juice |
| the Yago Sant'gria label. Although Sangria was | | | | 1/4 cup sugar - use superfine or bar sugar; it |
| traditionally made with a red wine - sangria rojo - | | | | easily dissolves in cold liquids |
| it also is made with white wine, termed sangria | | | | Pour the wine in a pitcher or glass container and |
| blanco. Today, Europeans enjoy white sangria as | | | | add sliced kiwi. Mix the sugar with the fruit juice |
| much or more than the red style. In this country, | | | | until dissolved; add to the wine mixture. Chill |
| white sangria does not get the recognition it | | | | overnight. Add the soda just before serving. If |
| deserves. | | | | you want to serve this right away, chill the red |
| Making sangria | | | | wine in the bottle for 15 minutes in ice water, |
| Although Spanish in origin, sangria is served all | | | | then prepare the recipe. |
| over the world. It is a versatile, refreshing, | | | | CARIBBEAN SANGRIA - WHITE |
| summertime beverage that works for most | | | | 1 bottle of sweet white wine (muscat, riesling, |
| outdoor parties. It now has the cache of being | | | | gewírztraminer) |
| retro, increasing its appeal and popularity. Sangria | | | | 1 lemon, cut in wedges |
| is typically made from wine, fruit juices, cut fresh | | | | 2 oranges, cut in wedges |
| fruit, sparkling water or ginger ale or 7 Up and an | | | | 1 lime, cut in wedges |
| optional spirit - brandy, rum, vodka or gin. | | | | 2 cups pineapple chunks |
| The secret to good sangria is to pick a wine that | | | | 1 cup red plums - large dice |
| is young, fruity, not tannic and was fermented in | | | | 2 cups passion fruit juice |
| a stainless steel vat. Oak barrel ageing adds | | | | 2 cups pineapple juice |
| tannins that are generally unpleasant with sangria. | | | | 1 cup Captain Morgan's Original Spiced Rum |
| The next key is to match the type of fruit with | | | | (optional) |
| the wine base. White wines are naturally more | | | | ¼ cup superfine sugar (optional) |
| acidic and citrusy, and match well with citrus fruits | | | | 1 cup ginger ale |
| such as lemons, limes and oranges. Red wines | | | | Pour wine in an oversized pitcher or glass |
| match better with fruits such as cherries, apples | | | | container. Squeeze the juice from all the wedges |
| and pears. | | | | into the wine (try to keep all seeds out of the |
| What is fun about sangria is that you modify your | | | | mixture). Discard the wedges. Add the fruit juices, |
| punch to taste. You add ingredients until you | | | | pineapple, plums and spiced rum if you want a |
| perfect your ideal balance. Inexpensive wines | | | | little kick. Chill overnight. Before serving, check the |
| from Spain (grenache, tempranillo), Australia | | | | sweetness level and add a little sugar to taste. |
| (shiraz) and Argentina (malbec) all are available at | | | | Add ginger ale just before serving; serve over |
| reasonable price points of $6 to $7, and are | | | | ice. |
| well-suited for sangria. Ask your favorite wine | | | | |
| merchant for suggestions. | | | | For more from Bill Garlough's Perfect Pairings visit |
| During a recent trip to Binny's, the knowledgeable | | | | My Chef. |
| staff pointed out several bottled, pre-made | | | | |