In the glass
Aroma: raisins, dark caramel, vanilla, dried orange peel
Palate: coffee toffee, hazelnut praline, dried apricot, spiced warmth
Lustau's East India Solera evokes the historical 'Manila Galleon' practice of shipping sherry in barrels across the tropics to India, which accelerated ageing. Rich, sweet and complex with raisins, toffee and vanilla.
What it pairs with
-
Rum raisin ice cream
The wine's raisin and vanilla warmth amplifies the similar notes in the dessert. -
Bread and butter pudding
The cream sweetness and vanilla notes bridge a classic custard-soaked pudding. -
Aged Cheddar
Sweet Cream sherry's caramel register pairs naturally with rich aged cow's milk cheese.
How to serve East India Solera 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. Rum raisin ice cream, Bread and butter pudding, Aged Cheddar. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
The East India Solera revives the 17th and 18th century practice of sending sherry in barrels on long sea voyages to the Indies, where the rocking motion, humidity changes and tropical heat accelerated ageing. Lustau replicates this by subjecting old Oloroso blended with PX to gently elevated temperatures, deepening colour and sweetness.
- 1990 — Lustau East India Solera Cream introduced in the premium range
Facts
- Producer
- Emilio Lustau
- Grapes
- Palomino Fino, Pedro Ximénez
- Classification
- DO Jerez-Xérès-Sherry
- Oak
- American oak butts; blend of old Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez; aged and then submitted to a sea voyage ageing simulation in elevated temperatures
- ABV
- 20.0%
- Price
- €18-30 at retail
- Drinking window
- 0-10 from bottling
- First vintage
- 1990
Frequently asked about East India Solera Cream
What does East India Solera Cream taste like?
On the nose, raisins, dark caramel, vanilla, dried orange peel. On the palate, coffee toffee, hazelnut praline, dried apricot, spiced warmth. Structurally full-bodied, low tannins, medium acidity with a long, warming and creamy sweet finish. Lustau's East India Solera evokes the historical 'Manila Galleon' practice of shipping sherry in barrels across the tropics to India, which accelerated ageing. Rich, sweet and complex with raisins, toffee and vanilla.
When should I drink East India Solera Cream?
Drink 0-10 from bottling. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with East India Solera Cream?
Rum raisin ice cream is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Bread and butter pudding and Aged Cheddar. The wine's raisin and vanilla warmth amplifies the similar notes in the dessert.
What grapes are in East India Solera Cream?
The blend is Palomino Fino, Pedro Ximénez. The wine is classified as DO Jerez-Xérès-Sherry.