Croft Twist

Croft Twist is made by González Byass in Jerez, the house founded in 1835 and long associated with Tío Pepe. It begins with Croft Fino, a dry sherry biologically aged under flor, the veil of yeast that grows on the wine's surface and shields it from oxygen while adding a savoury character. For Twist the Fino is blended with water, elderflower, lemon and mint and lightly carbonated, which lowers the alcohol to 5.5 percent and turns a serious sherry into an easy aperitif. The botanical additions sit on the dry, saline base the flor leaves behind. The wine is pale with a fine spritz. The nose is fresh and floral, led by elderflower and citrus with a clear note of mint. The palate is light, lively and gently sparkling, smooth rather than sweet, with a clean citrus finish. This is a drink built for the start of a meal or a warm afternoon, served very cold at 6 to 8 degrees over ice with a sprig of mint.