Spirits and wine tend to be separated at the liquor store, but there are plenty of reasons to bring them together. Wine may have a dry, crisp, or sweet flavor, and these can go great with the right spirits, mixers, and add-ins. 

A cup of sangria feels refreshing, with flavors that elevate it above a punch. A spritzer gives you tons of variety, and you probably have all the ingredients you need to customize the perfect one. 

The trick is to balance the flavors. To do that, you’ll need to understand how flavor, aroma, temperature, mouthfeel, and alcohol content affect the quality of the cocktails you make. With this guide, you’ll know a few ways to get the most from your next wine-forward cocktail. 

Factors to Consider When Creating Wine-Based Cocktails 

Before you start making a shopping list or visiting wineries in Maryland, you may need a little education. When you uncork a bottle of wine, you’ll notice the aroma right away. The flavors come out with the first sip. Both are affected by the temperature. Keep these factors in mind as you design your wine cocktail. 

Flavor Profile 

The flavor profile of the wine depends on the type of grape, aging process, region, and climate. You can loosely group wine flavors into these types: 

It’s best to try out the wine before you pair it with anything else, so you have a sense for the way the flavor engages with your palate. 

Aroma 

While the flavor of the wine is probably the most important aspect of the wine’s profile in terms of constructing a cocktail, you should pay attention to the aroma as well. You get a range of aromas, depending on the type of glass you use and how much time you spend using your nose: 

Before you make a pairing, think about how the aromas work together. For example, a wine with a strong oak or woody flavor could go very well with a barrel-aged rye but might not work as well with crisp or acidic spirits. 

Temperature 

Wine is typically served at least slightly cooled, at around 60 degrees Fahrenheit for reds and 45-50 F for whites. There’s a reason you don’t necessarily uncork a bottle from the fridge and immediately pour it out. Cold temperatures dull the flavors and aromas of wine and spirits, while warmer temperatures accentuate them. Bold-flavored wines like cabernet sauvignon or malbec combine well with rye or bourbon, in part because their ideal serving temperatures are similar. When crafting the cocktail, consider raising the temperature to bring out delicate flavors, or cooling down certain elements to avoid one component taking over the show.  

Mouthfeel 

Along with flavor, wines have something that people refer to as mouthfeel. Essentially, it’s the feeling of the wine as it passes through your mouth. You already know that tannins can be drying and that most alcoholic substances will add a warm or burning sensation. The texture itself plays a role. Some wines are crisp or sharp, while others feel round or cooling. Fortified wines like port can even take on something like a viscous quality. 

If you want to achieve the perfect mouthfeel, combine ingredients that either enhance certain textures or dull others that you want to avoid. To avoid compromising the mouthfeel of the wine too much, add a little of each ingredient at a time until you have the perfect balance. 

Alcohol Content 

The alcohol content of the wine affects the way you construct the cocktail and how you drink it. Wines have a percentage of alcohol by volume (ABV) that ranges from about 5% to 20% or more. Low-alcohol wines tend to be lighter in body, like a riesling or moscato. High-alcohol wines are usually fortified and full-bodied, such as port or sherry. 

Choosing wines based on alcohol content should be a discussion of anticipated consumption and experience. If you plan to sip at it gradually over an hour, a higher ABV makes more sense. If you’re going to have several glasses in one night, it’s better to aim lower. Remember that alcohol content can also affect mouthfeel and how it performs at your target temperature, not just how you feel after you drink it.  

Classic Wine-Forward Cocktails 

With solid background information, you can start to dream up the perfect wine cocktail. Think about what you’re hoping to get from the experience, and don’t hesitate to rely on the classics while you experiment: 

Try a couple of these options, and feel free to expand upon them for your own unique combination. 

Making the ideal wine cocktail takes a little more planning and research than you might think. Getting the right balance of flavors, aromas, and alcohol content isn’t difficult, but you may need a few tries to get it perfect. With this information, you’ll understand how the wines work together with spirits and mixers to make a wonderful sip. 

Author bio :  Matthew T. Scarborough and his family own Running Hare Vineyard in Prince Frederick, Maryland, that brings the charm of Southern France, Tuscany, and Napa to the East Coast. Set on a 300-acre estate, the winery offers award-winning wines, live music events, and picturesque venues for weddings and private gatherings.