Does a great sangria ring in a great summer?

FOR SURE! We all have that friend who sits around all spring itching for that first perfect glass (errr ok pitcher) of sangria. While you may get in an argument over whether red or white is better for a 90 degree summer day, one thing is for certain, more often then not, it hits the spot and makes us a little happier.
My first glass of red sangria came from Not Your Average Joe's after seeing Robin Hood (which was much less then average) with the girls. The sangria was very refreshing and the pitcher was filled with strawberries and pineapple which made for a great pre-supper snack! I am not a fan of the sangria made to intoxicate with so much Triple Sec and/or Rum that you can taste the liquor and not the delicate flavors of the fruit bouncing on the wine. This red had no alcohol taste to it which made it very soft and easy to go down. However, it was not made with a very well bodied wine and thus it almost had the quality of fruited water and not wine with a hint of fruit.

The first white sangria of the season was enjoyed out patio of the grill at Boat Basin in NYC's Riverside Park. It was in the high 80s, we had been walking along the pier and thirst was setting in. A jumbo pitcher of sangria was purchased and three girls picked out a front row table with umbrella and sat down. The bottom quarter was packed with cantaloupe, honeydew, and blueberries. I was happy that the sangria was not made with a cheap American Riesling which would have been to sweet. Instead, it was made with a drier white (though I do not believe it was a Chardonnay) which complimented the sugars in the fruit quite wonderfully. Two and half glasses each later, talk of real estate, tax laws, and movie production, we were quite refreshed and ready to continue on our way.