World Cup fever in a glass

 Jason Clarke, Contributor

We are now nearing the climatic conclusion of the 'greatest show on earth', and what better way to do so than to celebrate our victories and nurse our defeats in the company of friends and wine? This week, I thought it would be great to share a wine cocktail that is great for these watch parties that may be happening.

Red Wine Sangria

Sangrias are great party cocktails that look great, taste amazingly refreshing and very easy to do. Like all wine cocktails, lets start with the wine. I personally prefer to use Carlo Rossi as a base, but you could use any red wine you prefer. I like Californian blends which are ideal for this purpose and not too pricey either. Two to three bottles or a gallon should do. Next is depth and complexity. The idea is to add one bottle of something truly yummy, to give this mix an amazing blend of character. A medium to full-bodied wine like a Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon is perfect for this. Some may argue that this could be considered optional, but I think it makes for a much better sangria. Given my preference for Malbecs, the Alamos Malbec is a great addition.

The thing that really makes a sangria delicious is the fruit. Traditional sangrias tend to utilise oranges, but since mangoes are in, cube mangoes with orange wedges and any other fruit you happen to like. Or the lazy option is just to add the fruit cocktail mix you see in the supermarket. Add a little orange juice and soda water, or better still, ginger ale for a little kick and you have one delicious cocktail. Taste along the way and tweak to your preference, you may have to add a little sugar if the fruits themselves aren't very sweet. Sangrias should be served cold and taste better if you let it sit over night to soak in all the delicious fruit flavours.

White Wine Sangria

A white wine sangria is simply gorgeous. Your choice of fruit should be highly dependent on your choice of wine. I like a Sauvignon Blanc with slices of apples and peaches with an equal portion of ginger ale to make it a perfect combination. If you have a little left over and not sure what to do with it, make them into ice cubes and save them for another time.

There are some premade sangria mixes in the supermarket that you can use and doctor to make it suit you. I hope these cocktails come in handy as you enjoy the World Cup and the company of friends.

I am not an expert, merely a wine enthusiast sharing my thoughts and experiences. Feel free to share your own experiences at wineenthusiastja@gmail.com.