In the glass
Aroma: white peach, honey, blossom, light almond
Palate: dried apricot, light honey, gentle almond, citrus peel
The wine that defined the Pale Cream category: Fino-pale in colour but sweetened, with white peach, honey and a clean refreshing finish.
What it pairs with
-
Melon with Iberian ham
The sweetness of the cream sherry echoes the melon while the saline almond provides contrast. -
Mild cheddar or gouda
Softly sweet Pale Cream pairs with approachable mild dairy cheese. -
Summer fruit salad
Light sweetness and the peach-blossom character echo fresh fruit.
How to serve Croft Original Pale Cream
Allow 5 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and pour. Open and pour directly. No decanting required for this style.
- Serve at 8-10°C. Cellar temperature (8-10°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a Sherry copita: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Melon with Iberian ham, Mild cheddar or gouda, Summer fruit salad. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Croft Original was created in 1970 specifically to invent the Pale Cream category: a Fino-style sherry sweetened to medium-sweet levels but retaining the pale golden colour of a biologically aged wine. Founded in 1678 as a trading house, Croft now operates under the González Byass umbrella.
- 1678 — Croft trading house founded in Jerez
- 1970 — Croft Original Pale Cream introduced, creating a new sherry category
- 2001 — Croft acquired by González Byass group
Facts
- Producer
- Croft Sherry
- Grapes
- Palomino Fino
- Classification
- DO Jerez-Xérès-Sherry
- Oak
- American oak butts; Fino-based solera sweetened before bottling; minimal oxidative influence
- ABV
- 17.5%
- Price
- €8-14 at retail
- Drinking window
- 0-3 from bottling
- First vintage
- 1970
Frequently asked about Croft Original Pale Cream
What does Croft Original Pale Cream taste like?
On the nose, white peach, honey, blossom, light almond. On the palate, dried apricot, light honey, gentle almond, citrus peel. Structurally medium-bodied, low tannins, medium acidity with a clean, softly sweet and refreshing finish. The wine that defined the Pale Cream category: Fino-pale in colour but sweetened, with white peach, honey and a clean refreshing finish.
When should I drink Croft Original Pale Cream?
Drink 0-3 from bottling. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Croft Original Pale Cream?
Melon with Iberian ham is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Mild cheddar or gouda and Summer fruit salad. The sweetness of the cream sherry echoes the melon while the saline almond provides contrast.
What grapes are in Croft Original Pale Cream?
The blend is Palomino Fino. The wine is classified as DO Jerez-Xérès-Sherry.