Sangria

Sangria/sangría means "bloodletting" in Spanish and in Portuguese. The term sangria used for the drink can be traced back to the 18th century. Sangria has its historical roots in the Kingdom of León during the Middle Ages, where the precursor beverage, Leonese lemonade, originated. During this era, residents of the Leonese kingdom crafted this concoction using wine, oranges, lemons, sugar, and spices. Wine lemonade has endured as a popular beverage in the region of Castile and León in Spain, gaining prominence in consumption, particularly during Holy Week. The sangria cocktail, on the other hand, has been enjoyed since at least the early 19th century. Sangaree, a predecessor drink to sangria that was served either hot or cold, probably originated in the Caribbean (West Indies), and from there was introduced to mainland America, where it was common beginning in the American colonial era but had "largely disappeared in the United States" by the early 20th century. ==Recipe==

Sangria recipes vary wildly even within Spain, with many regional distinctions. The base ingredients are always wine, typically red, and some means to add a fruity or sweeter flavour, and maybe boost the alcohol content. Traditionally sangria may be mixed with local fruits such as peaches, nectarines, berries, apples, pears, or global fruits such as pineapple or lime, Spanish Rioja red wine is traditionally used. Some sangria recipes, in addition to wine and fruit, feature additional ingredients, such as brandy, sparkling water, or a flavored liqueur. For sangria blanca, American food writer Penelope Casas recommends dry white wines such as a Rueda, Jumilla, or Valdepeñas. Sangria de cava is made with Spain's sparkling wine. Ponche de Sangria is a variation for children, often for birthday parties. Oranges, peaches, and other sugary fruits are combined with berries, grapes, or food coloring in order to create the coloration of sangria. A soft drink typically replaces the wine. European Union law protection Under European Union law, the use of the term 'sangria' in commercial or trade labeling is now restricted under geographical labeling rules. The European Parliament approved new labeling laws by a wide margin in January 2014, protecting indications for aromatized drinks, including sangria, vermouth and . Only sangria made in Spain and Portugal is allowed to be sold as "sangria" in the EU; sangria made elsewhere must be labeled as such (e.g., as "German sangria" or "Swedish sangria"). The definition of sangria under European Union law according to the 2014 Regulation states that it is an: The 2014 regulation also recognises 'clarea' as an aromatised wine-based drink, which is obtained from white wine under the same conditions as for sangría. Clarea may be used as a sales denomination only when the product is produced in Spain. When the product is produced in other Member States, 'clarea' may only be used to supplement the sales denomination 'aromatised wine-based drink', provided that it is accompanied by the words: 'produced in', followed by the name of the Member State of production or of a more restricted region. ==See also==

• Mittie Hellmich, Sangria: Fun and Festive Recipes, Chronicle Books, 2004, • Andrew F. Smith, "Sangria" in The Oxford Companion to American Food and Drink (ed. Andrew F. Smith: Oxford University Press, 2007), p. 522. ==External links==