Croft Original 1 Liter

Croft Original is a pale cream sherry from the D.O. Jerez-Xérès-Sherry in Andalusia, now produced by González Byass, with roots in the Bristol wine trade where the style was first popular. It is built from Palomino aged biologically under flor, then blended with sweet wine from Pedro Ximénez to create the cream style. The Palomino grows on the chalky white albariza soils around Jerez, which reflect sunlight and hold winter moisture deep down for the dry summers. The base wine ages under a film of flor yeast that protects it from air and lends a fresh, yeasty character, before sweetening and a minimum of four years in the criaderas and soleras system, a fractional blending of casks across ages that keeps the house style consistent and adds an oxidative, baked depth. The colour is pale gold despite the sweetness. The nose is sharp and clean, with hazelnut and toasted bread from the ageing over hints of flowers and raisin. The palate is soft and gently sweet, with caramel and honey balanced by a saline lift from the soils. Serve chilled at around 8C over ice or neat in a small glass. It suits nutty cheese and dried fruit.