The 5 Best Red Wines for Sangria (Image credit: Jayme Henderson) So, you’ve taken notes from Emma on how to make the perfect red wine sangria, and you’re ready to make your first pitcher. But which red wine should you use? Most recipes simply call for the broad category of "dry red wine." Let’s take away the guesswork and narrow down some specific styles of wine that deliciously complement the fresh, fruity essence of summer sangria. A traditional Spanish libation, sangria is a wine-based "punch" that includes seasonal fruit, a sweetener, brandy, and sometimes a splash of soda water. Wine takes the center stage in this cocktail, so choose a wine that is fruity but dry, has good acidity, and is lower in tannins. Feel free to try other fruit-driven wines, like Merlot or Malbec. Just select a style that is not too tannic or heavily oaken. The 5 Best Wines for Summer Sangria Here are five specific wines that fit those guidelines. 1. Garnacha - Garnacha (grenache grown in Spain) generally has lower tannins, showcases rich red fruits, and has great acidity.

These characteristics make garnacha my personal go-to for making stellar red sangria. Good pick: Bodegas Borsao from Tres Picos - Grape: Garnacha. 2. Tempranillo - Tempranillo, another Spanish varietal, provides a deep hue; and notes of black cherries, blackberries, and cola. Choose tempranillos labeled as “Crianza” or “Joven” to avoid a heavily oaked flavor. Good pick: Palacios Remondo from La Vendimia - Grape: Tempranillo-Garnacha blend. 3. Primitivo or Zinfandel - Iterations of the same grape, primitivo (from Italy) and zinfandel (grown mostly in California) are excellent for sangria. The wines usually exhibit rich, jammy fruits, accented with spice and floral notes. Good pick: Rancho Zabaco from Dancing Bull - Grape: Zinfandel. Already have a great bottle of red wine on hand? Follow this simple recipe, and you'll be sipping on sangria tomorrow. (Image credit: Leela Cyd) 4. Bonarda - Argentina’s lesser-known gem-of-a-wine, bonarda, is usually lower in price, offering a great value for its lush, fruity style.

Bonarda is often blended with other varietals, but on its own, it delivers rich raspberry- and plum-driven, ripe juice. Good pick: Catena from Alamos - Grape: Bonarda. 5. Nero d’Avola - Grown and produced in southern Italy, Nero d'Avola is dark, soft, and juicy. Nero d’Avola also makes wonderful expressions of dry rosé — great to use in a lighter-style sangria, such as Maureen's Strawberry & Limoncello Rosé Sangria. Good pick: Cantine Barbera - Grape: Nero d’Avola. Region: Sicilia DOC, Italy. A Few Tips for the Perfect Summer Sangria If the wine you chose is too dry for you, sweeten your sangria by adding more fruit juice, simple syrup, agave nectar, or a splash of tonic water. Make sangria a day ahead, so flavors can integrate (kind of like how homemade soup tastes so much better the next day). Use a good wine, but don't go too crazy on the price. Choose a bottle you wouldn’t mind enjoying on its own. Wine is the base ingredient, after all, so let it shine!

Think Tempranillo, think Rioja, think Spain - oh, and perhaps Australia.  wine cooler uk reviewThe La Rioja region of northern Spain has been producing this tremendous wine since the 11th century, mainly from the early-ripening, black-hued Tempranillo grape. best wines in europe 2014The wine is aged in French or American oak, adding a layer of vanilla to those characteristic dark fruit and cherry flavours.best white wine for xmas dinner In recent years, Tempranillo vines and Rioja expertise have made their way to Australia, producing superb quality wines that are contnuing to impress. port wine is best withSo, with the nights darkening and the temperature dropping what better way to banish the winter blues than with a glass of this warming and life-affirming wine.best wine bars in america

1. La La Land Tempranillo 2015, 13.5%: £9.99, Majesticbuy north dakota wine Many of us have felt we’ve been living here this year, so it’s nice to find an Australian Tempranillo to suit. From a winery in north-west Victoria this deep-red wine brings layered flavours of dark fruits, black cherries and blueberries and then throws coffee and licorice into the mix as well. A party-pleaser that goes well with tacos, chorizo and spicy chicken wings. 2. Hacienda López de Haro Rioja Tempranillo 2015, 13.5%: £8.99, Cambridge Wine Manually harvested from a vineyard in the small town of San Vicente de la Sonsierra, this is a traditional Rioja aged for three or four months in oak barrels before spending six months in the bottle. Lovely rich fruit flavours with smooth tannins and an elegant finish. Good with cold meats or cheese. 3. Sons of Eden Selene Tempranillo 2012, 14.5%: £25.49, Ex Cellar

The inaugural vintage for this Australian Barossa Valley Tempranillo from the Sons of Eden, otherwise known as winemaker Corey Ryan (who’s been travelling to Spain each year since 2009 to gain experience in Rioja) and viticulturist Simon Cowham. An intense, dark red wine loaded with deep plum and black cherry flavours complemented by velvet tannins and hints of spice and herbs. 4. Bodegas Pascual Buró Ribera del Duero 2012, 14%: £14.95, Swig Lots of big flavours here, coming from the Ribera del Duero region where wine-making goes back to the 14th century. Not that there’s anything ancient about the intense, dark fruit and cherry tastes here, balanced by notes of caramel and spice. It should make for one happy hacienda. 5. Angelicus Tempranillo 2014, 13.5%: £20.49, Vagabond Wines From a rocky vineyard in the Geographe wine area of Western Australia comes this 99 per cent Tempranillo, one per cent Grenache, wine produced from five clones of Tempranillo brought to Australia from Ribera del Duero and Rioja.

Huge flavours of plums, mulberries and dark fruit allied to smooth tannins with overtones of chocolate and spices. 6. Matsu El Picaro 2015 Toro, 14.5%: £8.99, Majestic Picaro means “rascal” and we presume the handsome rogue on the label is there to attract passing buyers. This is a young wine that spends just three months in oak to preserve its natural raspberry and blueberry fruitiness. You’ll also find textured tannins and a crisp minerality here. Goes well with skewers of grilled meat or pasta dishes. 7. The Hedonist Tempranillo 2012, 14%: £13.50, Wine Direct From veteran Australian winemaker Walter Clappis and his certified biodynamic vineyard in the the Willunga foothills of McLaren Vale, South Australia, comes this small batch, beautifully balanced Tempranillo with flavours of chocolate, cherry and black plum and silky tannins. Good to enjoy now. 8. Marqués de Zearra Rioja 2009, 14%: £10.20, Yapp From a small bodega in Fuenmajor, slap bang in the middle of the La Rioja region, come this reasonably priced but extremely tasty Rioja that spends 24 months in oak barrels and three years in the bottle before being released.

Big, robust dark fruit and caramel flavours with spice and coffee aromas. 9. Landaire Tempranillo 2014, 14%: £24.99, Hanging Ditch A single vineyard, estate grown Tempranillo from the Limestone Coast of South Australia which was bottled early to retain the wine’s bright and fresh character. Mild red in colour it’s packed full of  blackberry and dark fruit flavours with suggestions of spice, licorice and herbs. 10. Vina Palaciega Rioja 2014, 13%: £8.25, Carookes A medium-bodied Rioja (85 per cent Tempranillo, 15 per cent Grenache) with a deep ruby colour that’s matured for six months in American oak barrels. It has ripe red and black fruit flavours with hints of spice and pepper. Good to enjoy with cheese, pasta dishes or, of course, tapas. 11. Beronia Reserva Rioja 2011, 14%: £12, Waitrose Cellar A product of the best grapes from the oldest vineyards, this Spanish Rioja is aged for 20 months in barrels made from French and American oak which gives this intense ruby red wine notes of coconut, vanilla and spices allied to strawberry and dark cherry flavours and velvet-like tannins.

The perfect accompaniment for roast lamb. 12. Ess & See Tempranillo 2013, 14.5%: £15.99, Virgin Wines A South Australian wine from wine-maker Steve Grimley’s modest vineyard east of Adelaide where the grapes ripen early producing a small batch (1,780 bottles) of a superbly textured Tempranillo which has the usual dark fruit flavours you would expert but with a savoury twist. Enjoy it now with roast lamb or it can keep for two or three years. 13. Bienbebido Queso Tempranillo 2013, 14%: £7.99, Majestic You have to love the funky, painted-on decoration on this Spanish Tempranillo created by a group of winemakers, sommeliers, chefs and wine enthusiasts who wanted to create a range of perfect “go-to wines” to accompany certain foods. And this one, as the decorations show, shouts “cheese”, preferably a ripe Manchego. An easy-drinking wine with lots of berry flavours and spicy notes. 14. Campo Viejo Rioja Reserva 2011, 13.5%: £8, Tesco A familiar sight in UK stores this popular Rioja offers great value for under £10.