Glunz De La Costa Sangria 1L

Glunz De La Costa Sangria 1L is a semi-sweet red sangria from Paso Robles, California, bottled at 11.5% ABV in a 1-liter format. Built on a Zinfandel and Merlot base with citrus-infused brandy, this sangria has earned Silver Medal honors and Best Buy recognition for delivering a bolder, more wine-forward profile than most of its competitors.

Quick Facts: ABV: 11.5%  |  Origin: Paso Robles, California  |  Red Sangria  |  Producer: Glunz Family Winery

Production & Heritage

Glunz Family Winery blends and bottles De La Costa at their Paso Robles facility. The base wine — a blend of Zinfandel and Merlot — is fermented completely dry before a measured addition of sweetener and house-made citrus-infused brandy. What separates this sangria from the pack is the use of real lemon, lime, and grapefruit peels steeped in high-proof brandy, producing an aromatic intensity that eliminates the need for artificial flavorings or excessive water. Where many commercial sangrias dilute their wine base down to around 6% ABV, Glunz keeps theirs at a full 11.5%, resulting in a product that genuinely tastes like wine rather than flavored punch.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fresh citrus peel — orange, lemon, and lime — leads immediately, followed by ripe cherry and dark berry notes from the Zinfandel-Merlot blend. The brandy adds a subtle warmth beneath the fruit.

Taste: The entry is bright and fruit-forward, with cherry and mixed berry flavors arriving first. At mid-palate, a hint of tannin from the red wine base provides unexpected structure, while the citrus brandy lifts everything with zesty acidity. The sweetness is present but restrained — closer to off-dry than sugary — keeping the profile balanced and refreshing.

Finish: Medium in length with lingering citrus zest and a clean, slightly tart close. A touch of dark fruit sweetness persists without becoming cloying.

How to Drink De La Costa Sangria

Serve well chilled, either straight from the bottle over ice or with fresh-cut citrus slices for a classic presentation. The higher ABV and genuine wine backbone also make it a strong foundation for cocktails.

• Tinto de Verano: Mix with lemon-lime soda for a lighter, effervescent Spanish-style spritz — the citrus brandy amplifies the fizz.
• Sangria Punch Bowl: Use as the base for a party-sized sangria, adding sliced stone fruit and a splash of orange liqueur — the real citrus peel already does most of the heavy lifting.
• Kalimotxo: Combine equal parts with cola over ice for a Basque-inspired highball — the Zinfandel tannins stand up to the sweetness of the cola.

Best For

• Summer barbecues and outdoor entertaining where a ready-to-pour sangria saves prep time
• Casual weeknight dinners with Mediterranean or Latin American cuisine
• Hosting brunch without the hassle of making sangria from scratch
• Introducing wine drinkers to sangria with a product that actually tastes like wine

Frequently Asked Questions

What does De La Costa Sangria taste like? It delivers bright cherry and mixed berry flavors from its Zinfandel-Merlot base, layered with fresh orange, lemon, and lime citrus notes from real fruit peel and brandy. The sweetness is moderate and balanced by noticeable acidity and a hint of tannin.

How does De La Costa compare to La Casita Sangria? De La Costa runs at 11.5% ABV with a pure wine base, while many competing sangrias, including budget options like La Casita, often sit closer to 6% ABV due to added water. The Glunz expression also uses real citrus peels steeped in brandy rather than artificial flavorings, resulting in a more concentrated, wine-forward character.

Is De La Costa Sangria good for serving at parties? Its 1-liter bottle, ready-to-drink format, and crowd-pleasing fruit-forward flavor make it an excellent party pour — simply chill and serve over ice with optional fresh fruit garnish.

Where is De La Costa Sangria made? De La Costa is blended and bottled at Glunz Cellars in Paso Robles, California, using Zinfandel and Merlot sourced from the region.

What foods pair well with De La Costa Sangria? Grilled chicken or pork with chimichurri (the citrus echoes the sauce), cheese boards featuring manchego and aged cheddar (the tannins complement the fat), spicy tacos or empanadas (the sweetness tempers the heat), caprese salad (the acidity matches the tomato), and dark chocolate (the berry fruit aligns with cocoa notes).

What sizes does De La Costa Sangria come in? The standard format is the 1-liter bottle, which provides roughly five generous pours over ice.

Is De La Costa Sangria worth the price? It positions as a value-tier sangria, but the 11.5% ABV, real citrus-peel brandy infusion, and genuine Paso Robles wine base put it well above most competitors in its price range — its Best Buy designation reflects that strong quality-to-value ratio.

Why De La Costa Sangria?

The core advantage here is simple: this is actual wine, not water with wine flavoring. At 11.5% ABV with a dry-fermented Zinfandel-Merlot base, De La Costa delivers the tannic structure and fruit depth of a genuine California red, then layers on real citrus-peel brandy for aromatic complexity that artificial sangrias cannot replicate. Its Silver Medal recognition and Best Buy status confirm what the glass reveals — this is a sangria that punches well above the typical ready-to-drink category. For anyone tired of thin, overly sweet sangrias that taste nothing like wine, De La Costa is the correction.