Under EU rules, only drinks produced in Portugal or Spain can be sold simply as "sangria". While wineries and drinks manufacturers in other EU countries are free to make a similar wine-based drink, they cannot market it under the name alone.

Instead, the product must be labelled as an aromatised wine-based drink, and if the word "sangria" appears anywhere on the label, it must clearly state where it was produced, such as "Produced in Germany" or "Produced in France". The rule is set out in Regulation (EU) No 251/2014, which governs aromatised wine products across the European Union.

Protecting a traditional drink

The rule recognises sangria as a traditional drink from Portugal and Spain, helping to distinguish it from similar products made elsewhere in Europe.

The protection works in a similar way to names such as Champagne or Parmigiano Reggiano, although sangria is not a geographical indication. Instead, the regulation reserves the sales designation "sangria" for drinks produced in Portugal and Spain.

What makes a drink a sangria?

The regulation also sets out what can legally be sold as sangria. It must be made from wine and flavoured with natural citrus extracts or essences, with or without citrus juice. Fruit, spices and carbon dioxide may also be added, while artificial colouring is not permitted.

The finished drink must contain at least 50% wine and have an alcohol content of between 4.5% and 12% by volume.

Of course, anyone can still make their own version at home using wine, fruit and other ingredients. The rules only apply to commercially sold products within the European Union.