Ratings: The Best White Wines for Sangria

For many, the word “sangria” likely conjures images of red wine swimming with jewel-like cut fruit, and certainly, the internet is filled with such recipes. There are also seemingly infinite riffs on this traditional style of sangria, from tequila-spiked sangria with hibiscus to the sangria slushie.

But there’s no reason to settle always and forever for sangria made with red wine. Sangria aficionados should not be afraid to take a walk on the white side, says Augi Anagnostos, Wine Enthusiast’s assistant tasting coordinator. White wines can lend to lighter, brighter sangrias, like Clericó, Uruguay’s spritzy summertime staple, or melón con vino, Chile’s sangria-adjacent honeydew cocktail. Our French press sangria is a particularly excellent, fruit-forward example.

But how does one settle on the right wine to use in white wine sangria? Here are a few tips from the Wine Enthusiast Tasting Department, plus some of our top white wine picks for sangria.

How to Choose the Best White Wine for Sangria

When making white sangria, start with a high-acid wine to achieve the drink’s signature “crisp, refreshing feeling,” says Anagnostos. You’ll know your wine is high in acid if sips yield a tart, mouth-puckering feeling.

Because sangria is often associated with Spain, it’s natural to gravitate towards Spanish wines like Albariño, Cava or Verdejo. These are great options for sangria, but any high-acid wine from around the globe will do, like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc. You may even want to choose wines with flavors that mimic the fruits you plan to include—like lemon, green apple or peach. Of course, drinkers should ultimately pick one that suits their tastes.

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Next, choose a wine that you’d want to drink straight, but isn’t too expensive. “You taste the wine, but you don’t really taste the wine properly, because it’s mixed with everything else,” Anagnostos explains.

She suggests choosing a bottle under $30, something one might pour on a casual Wednesday night. This can even include a good boxed wine, which is a great option to keep the price low—a key consideration if you’re batching sangria for a crowd.

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Last Updated: September 18, 2023