Sangria

Sangria or Zurra as still call this drink in Spain – one of the most popular cocktails which main components are wine, ice and fruit. History of emergence of drink is connected with hot climate of Spain. Temperature there does not fall in the summer below a mark of +30 degrees therefore it is heavy to drink pure wine during such heat, and sangria acts as a peculiar alternative.

In recent years reviews of sangria extended far away from Spain, and its production is arranged commercially. But to make home-made sangria very easily, and recipes of its preparation there is a set.

Spaniards prefer not to buy industrial sangria as artificial components and dyes which kill it true taste are its part. In honor at them only sangria house!

According to reviews of sangria of Spaniards, it is necessary to drink it with pleasure and it is cheerful. An ideal situation is the cheerful country picnic with the assistance of the big company.

Sangria history

There was a sangria in the southern Spain about 400 years ago. Collectors of fruit, to cope with a heat, always carried with themselves a wineskin with red wine which was diluted spring water. Such diluted wine did not cause intoxication and well helped during the work under the scorching sun. Over time began to add various ingredients to wine, preferential, fruit.

Why this drink is called "sangria" (in translation from Spanish - "blood"), it is for certain unknown. According to one legend, drink received the name thanks to the big slaughter which happened in the wine-making village of Rioja at the end of the 17th century. Local feudal lords allegedly strongly became angry because the crop reaped by peasants did not meet their expectations, and used violence. As a result many people, including children and women died. However feudal lords did not manage to destroy all residents of the village as peasants gave them as a gift drink which those never tasted earlier. So it was pleasant to feudal lords that they demanded to reveal peasants a secret of its preparation. Peasants in memory of the dead began to call sangria drink.

There is one more legend according to which the author of sangria is the Italian soldier Helio Gabal who was captured by the Spanish conquistadors. The captive was subjected to cruel tortures, including him the spy. But, so without having achieved anything, Spaniards were forced to release it. Having appeared on freedom, Gabal who was fond of agronomics, was engaged in studying of local grades of oranges.

Having made friends with local farmers, Gabal told them that he dreams to think up tasty citrus wine long ago. In the homeland it without results spent for it several years. Therefore arrived to Spain as the best grades of oranges exactly here grow. The interested farmers acquainted Gabal with the best wine makers and jointly they began to realize the Italian's dream. As a result, at them so nothing turned out. Gabal so was upset that from disappointment nakidat in a jug with grape wine largely cut oranges, having declared that he despite everything will drink only citrus wine! And to cool wine, he added also several pieces of ice. The struck Spaniards it is bewitched observed how Gabal stirs red drink. Having tried it, they declared that it is blood of a devil and again subjected the Italian to tortures, and after that burned on a fire. And the name "sangria" was assigned to drink.

Variety of types

Judging by responses sangria is cooked from the most various ingredients. Its tastes can vary depending on the liqueur and fruit used in the course of preparation. Many prefer to add sparkling water to drink, giving it an igristost. There are even recipes of preparation of sangria on the basis of white wine. In the summer home-made sangria is served cooled, and in the winter, on the contrary, in the warmed-up and flavored nutmeg, cinnamon and a carnation.

There are several types of sangria:

• Usual or silent. At its preparation soda is not added, but without fail there are grapes and a citrus. Silent sangria has fresh and easy is sweet - acid taste with a bright citrus and grape notes. Often add to this drink also a lime, a lemon, a peach, strawberry, banana, apple, pineapple and a melon.
• White sangria. It differs in nothing from sangria usual, only white wine forms a basis for it.
• Sparkling sangria. It is done on the basis of soda or sparkling wines. In a bouquet of sparkling sangria unimaginably aroma of a citrus and grapes to which the aroma of nut and flower notes arising in the course of fermentation at hermetically sealed system is added are combined.

Of course, the accurate side between types of drink does not exist. In preparation of home-made sangria a lot of things depend on opportunities and the imagination. And in general, it is very difficult to spoil sangria any wrong ingredient. Beauty of drink consists in easy taste, and ingredients are capable to improve and emphasize it only.