What it pairs with
-
Chocolate cake with caramel
The wine's caramel sweetness and dark-fruit depth elevate richly sweet chocolate baking. -
Dried date and walnut loaf
Nut and dried fruit in both wine and bread are natural companions. -
Stilton with water crackers
The sweetness of PX provides balance to pungent blue-veined cheese.
How to serve Cardenal Cisneros Pedro Ximénez
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. Chocolate cake with caramel, Dried date and walnut loaf, Stilton with water crackers. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Named after Cardinal Francisco Jiménez de Cisneros, the 15th-16th century Archbishop of Toledo and Regent of Castile. Sánchez Romate has produced this PX from sun-dried Pedro Ximénez grapes since the early 20th century, maintaining the solera through multiple family generations.
- 1920 — Cardenal Cisneros PX solera established at Sánchez Romate
Facts
- Producer
- Sánchez Romate
- Grapes
- Pedro Ximénez
- Classification
- DO Jerez-Xérès-Sherry
- Oak
- American oak butts; oxidative solera; average 10-12 years
- ABV
- 16.0%
- Price
- €16-25 at retail
- Drinking window
- 0-10 from bottling
- First vintage
- 1920
Frequently asked about Cardenal Cisneros Pedro Ximénez
When should I drink Cardenal Cisneros Pedro Ximénez?
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 Cardenal Cisneros Pedro Ximénez?
Chocolate cake with caramel is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Dried date and walnut loaf and Stilton with water crackers. The wine's caramel sweetness and dark-fruit depth elevate richly sweet chocolate baking.
What grapes are in Cardenal Cisneros Pedro Ximénez?
The blend is Pedro Ximénez. The wine is classified as DO Jerez-Xérès-Sherry.