origin of sangria

[josara]

is sangria an authentic old spanish recipe or was it invented for the tourist trade?

[shaneystar2]

Sangria is the result of traditional Spanish ways of making and drinking wine. There is no official history regarding sangria but it is believed that the "invention" dates from ancient times. Most Mediterranean wines from the classical period were sweetened in some form, and it is probable that during this period sangria (wine + fruit juices) became accepted thanks to its refreshing mixture.

The name "sangria" refers to the color of the wine used: traditional strong red wines with purplish highlights, often found in coastal areas and similar to the color of blood ("sangre" in Spanish means blood).

The basic ingredients for sangria were not commonly found in all the Mediterranean countries except for Spain , where they grow in abundance. This is how the tradition survived and how sangria became associated with its Spanish origins.