Best Bottled Sangrias: The Top 5

Once you try a glass of sangria for the first time you'll keep coming back for more. That's the way it was for me many years ago. I had my first glass at one of the popular Spanish restaurants in Tampa. Basically, sangria is Spanish red wine and fruits. When you look for sangria on the internet there are numerous recipes on how to make it which I have certainly utilize.

For those who want the authentic sangria from Spain you can purchase a bottle at your local grocery store or wine shop. There are several wineries that make this fabulous wine. Some of the sangria is sweet and some can be dry, so there is a choice when looking for sangria in a bottle. For your information here are five of the best bottled sangrias you can have on hand, instead of making it yourself. They are all affordable and best of all, delicioso.

1. Real Sangria

If you want to know who the premiere brand of bottled sangria is, look no further than Real Sangria. They are undoubtedly the #1 imported sangria from Spain for over a decade. The wine is made from the Garnacha and Tempranillo grape varieties. These are grown in the regions of Valencia, Alicante, Rioja and La Mancha throughout Spain. The latter region in the province of Ciudad Real is where it gets its name. This is site of the famous windmills from the literary work of "Don Quixote" and the musical "Man of La Mancha."

Spaniards have been drinking sangria to cool off for centuries during their hot summer days. Sangria was introduced to the U.S. at the 1964 at the World's Fair in New York. Real Sangria is light-bodied, fruity and refreshing and blended with natural citrus fruits. The Spanish red wine varieties give it the beautiful ruby red color. Cruz Garcia Real Sangria is highly recommended.

2. New Hope Winery Red Sangria 2009

From the region of Lake Erie, Pennsylvania in Bucks County their New Hope Winery produces a seasonal red sangria with Concord grapes at its base. New Hope Winery Red Sangria is sweet with citrus blends. Serve it as the perfect pairing with pizza, pasta and BBQ. This is their combination of mixing traditional Spanish sangria with the deliciousness of Bucks County grapes.

3. Arbor Mist Wine Sangria Zinfadel

A zinfandel wine blended with cherries and citrus fruits that's an interesting twist on traditional Spanish sangria from Arbor Mist Wine. For best results serve this sangria chilled. This winery is based in Canandaigua, New York.

4. Glunz Family Winery & Cellars de la Costa Sangria

The Glunz Family has been producing wines since 1992 in Northern Illinois. Their "Fun Wine" as they refer to the de la Costa Sangria is their seasonal wine they sell from late Spring until the end of the Summer season. Traditionally, sangria is a summer drink though it can be served all year long if you live in a warm climate. Their sangria is a red wine packed with citrus flavor. For its clean finish you will note a touch of cinnamon. This is a common added ingredient in sangrias.

5. Senor Sangria

Here is a bottled sangria made from a home recipe that's for consumption. It features Chilean Merlot, all-natural fruit juices and pure cane sugar with nothing artificially added. The drink was conceived when the owner of Senor Sangria, Rick Martinez, was dissatisfied with sangrias on the market. Martinez wanted to make the premiere sangria. His Senor Sangria has become so popular they said it should be bottled. Created first in Hoboken, New Jersey and now in New York City it is making quite a presence online with his self-distribution business campaign.

All five of these bottled sangrias taste as good, if not better, than the time and trouble it would take to make homemade sangria. You can garnish it with fruit slices, spice it up with cinnamon, give it a touch of club soda or spike it with brandy or triple sec. One thing's for certain this will be a popular drink at your next party.

Sources:

Official Website of Real Sangria - The #1 Imported Sangria from Spain, Real Sangria

Red Sangria, New Hope Winery

Arbor Mist: 12 Wine and Fruit Combinations, Arbor Mist

Glunz Family Winery & Cellars - Tasting Rooms, GFWC

"Senor Sangria Launches All-Natural Premium Sangria", Pitch Engine