What it pairs with
-
Jamón ibérico de bellota
The wine's almond and mineral depth mirrors the sweet nuttiness of acorn-fed Iberian ham. -
Fresh oysters
Saline minerality and high acidity are a natural match for raw oysters. -
Espinacas con garbanzos (spinach and chickpeas)
The wine's savouriness and herbal notes complement this Sevillano tapa.
How to serve Inocente Fino
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. Jamón ibérico de bellota, Fresh oysters, Espinacas con garbanzos (spinach and chickpeas). Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Inocente is fermented and aged from a single named vineyard (Macharnudo Alto) without blending with other pagos, a rare practice in Sherry production. The Macharnudo Alto plot provides Palomino grapes from albariza soils at high elevation within the Jerez Superior zone. The solera was established in the late 19th century and Inocente is also distinguished by primary fermentation in wooden oak vessels rather than stainless steel.
- 1874 — Inocente Fino solera established by Valdespino at Macharnudo Alto
- 1999 — Grupo Estévez acquires Valdespino, maintaining the Inocente solera and oak fermentation
Facts
- Producer
- Bodegas Real Tesoro y Valdespino
- Grapes
- Palomino Fino
- Classification
- DO Jerez-Xérès-Sherry
- Oak
- American oak butts; single-vineyard Fino from the Macharnudo Alto pago; fermented in oak; biological ageing under flor; average 4-5 years in a solera
- ABV
- 15.5%
- Price
- €18-28 at retail
- Drinking window
- 0-3 from bottling
- First vintage
- 1874
Frequently asked about Inocente Fino
When should I drink Inocente Fino?
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 Inocente Fino?
Jamón ibérico de bellota is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Fresh oysters and Espinacas con garbanzos (spinach and chickpeas). The wine's almond and mineral depth mirrors the sweet nuttiness of acorn-fed Iberian ham.
What grapes are in Inocente Fino?
The blend is Palomino Fino. The wine is classified as DO Jerez-Xérès-Sherry.