Hidalgo Cream Sherry Morenita

Morenita-the little brunette-is a delightful sherry. The blend of Palomino and Pedro Ximénez lends to this wine, a rich brown color with dark golden highlights. This is a delicate style cream with hints of caramel, dried fruits and mocha on the nose. Smooth and elegant with well-balanced sweetness, it still manages to be refreshing. Serve slightly chilled or on the rocks as an aperitif or enjoy with mildly rich meals. One drink begs another.This is a delicate style cream with hints of caramel, dried fruits and mocha on the nose. Smooth and elegant with well-balanced sweetness, it still manages to be refreshing.Hidalgo has had the same cellar master, or capataz, for the past five decades, continuing the artisanal ways of the winery. An expert at managing the house”s various soleras, he employs a system of fractional blending, using smell and taste to monitor development and to create Hidalgo”s famously complex Sherries. In the great tradition of Jerez, Hidalgo”s winemaker is the capataz of the winery. Yet, he is more of a caretaker of the wine. Hidalgo wine develops in-barrel, while he oversees and guides this development. Historically, a capataz hones his skill rising through the ranks, learning what different types of wines ”should” smell and taste like, according to house style. Hidalgo”s current capataz is Manuel Nieves. Raised in Jerez, he learned much from his father, who also was a capataz. Manuel came to Hidalgo in 1959, and, as is the tradition, he learned the trade from his predecessor. He became Hidalgo”s capataz in 1972 and has continued to produce the same level of high-quality wine for which Hidalgo has been known. Upon his retirement, his son, Manuel Jesus Nieves, is slated to replace him. Since taking his licentiature in Chemistry in 2004 from the University of Cadiz, Manuel Jesus has worked full time as Hidalgo”s oenologist and apprentice winemaker. Prior to that he spent many summers working in the winery and picking grapes during harvest. New times require new methods, and Manuel Jesus brings a modern scientific touch to Hidalgo”s traditional method of wine production.Serve slightly chilled or on the rocks as an aperitif or enjoy with mildly rich meals.Varietal CompositionPalomino and Pedro Ximenez