The Auswine Forum

G'day all

From memory, everyone was chortling a few months ago when it was mentioned that some of our friends in China were slurping back a heady concoction of primo Grange and the black fizzy stuff from Coca Cola Amatil..... I was part of the contingent from memory and it was to my surprise then that whilst visiting Seville & San Sebastian in Spain this month that it was occurring in some of the trendy bars there. Our walking tour guide in Seville even remarked that the more expensive wines were targeted for the combo.

All things aside, has anyone actually tried red wine & cola? If so - why did you do it and what were your observations?

They will mix a bunch of stuff with wine in Spain. I saw the red wine and coke, but never tried it. There is sangria obviously - both white and red versions. I didn't mind the red at times but wasn't to thrilled with the white. There is also something called Tinto de Verano which is red wine mixed with either lemonade or a carbonated lemon drink which was truly disgusting. Some places had it on tap so somebody must be drinking it.

Red wine and coke mixed is often consumed by young Italians...
From my younger days I can tell you the wine quality only needs to meet a pretty low quality standard - definitely wouldn't bother spending money for anything better than a very cheap red if you are going to mix.

...as for why...
- wanted something with alcohol but not too strong so still refreshing
- improved the taste of the dodgy wine we could afford
- tasted better than most coke / spirits mixes

Very similar concept to Sangria which is loved by many on a hot day by the beach in Spain.

In Spain they're called Kalimatxos, and it's the drink of choice for many Pamplona revellers. The red wine that goes into them is sometimes cheaper than the Coke.

In the south of Spain there is tinto de verano, which is red mixed with either lemonade or more often lemon flavour softdrink. Very refreshing.

Cheers

Michael