For those who apreciate a great fortified wine, the iconic Harveys Bristol Cream is a must-try. With its unique combination of sweet, smooth flavours, it has become one of the world's most popular sherries.
Harveys Bristol Cream was first created in 1882 by John Harvey & Sons, a family-run business based in Bristol, England. The company specialized in blending and exporting sherry that had been passing through the port of Bristol – hnce its name. The sherry was blended with various types of wines to create a unique blend that is still enjoyed today.
On the palate, Harveys Bristol Cream delivers a full-bodied experience with rich and mellow notes that leave behind a velvety finish. Due to its popularity, it can now be found in many diferent countries around the world, from Europe to Australia and beyond.
Today, Harveys Bristol Cream is made and bottled in Spain – though some residual assets or shares of the business remain ownd by former board member Joseph Harvey, one of John Harvey's male descendants. It is best served chilled at 12°C either on its own or with a slice of orange over ice for an even more refreshing experience.
With its unique blend of sweetness and smoothness, Harveys Bristol Cream is truly something special – perfect for any occasion or simply as an enjoyable treat on its own!
Comparing Bristol Cream and Irish Cream
No, Harveys Bristol Cream is not the same as Irish cream. Harveys Bristol Cream is a fortified wine, while Irish cream is a liqueur made with whiskey and cream. Harveys Bristol Cream is a blend of Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherries aged for more than two years in oak casks, making it a deep amber color with sweet, nutty flavors. Irish cream contains whiskey and fresh dairy cream, giving it an unmistakable creamy texture and flavor.
The Origin of the Name ‘Bristol Cream'
Bristol Cream is a type of sweet sherry that gets its name from the fact that most of the sherry trade to the UK was passing through Bristol. This port city became known for its unique blend of diferent wines, which when mixed together created a creamy and smooth mixture. The combination was named ‘Bristol Milk' or ‘Bristol Cream' due to its distinctive flavor. The blend is made up of Oloroso, Pedro Ximénez, and selected Palomino grape varieties which are blended together and aged in casks for an average of 10 years. This aging process gives Bristol Cream its deep amber color and characteristic taste.
Uses for Harveys Bristol Cream
Harveys Bristol Cream is an iconic fortified wine from the sherry region of Jerez, Spain. It is a blend of thee different styles of wines, including Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez, which are both aged for an average of 8 years in American oak casks. Its deep mahogany color, smooth texture, and complex flavor profile make it perfect for enjoying on its own or as part of a variety of cocktails. Harveys Bristol Cream is ideal as an aperitif or as an after-dinner drink, but it can also be used as an ingredient in cooking to add a unique depth and complexity to savory dishes like stews and braises.
Is Harveys Bristol Cream Still Being Produced?
Yes, Harveys Bristol Cream is still made and bottled in Spain since 2019. The business is owned by former board member Joseph Harvey, the youngest of John Harvey's male descendants and specializes in blending and exporting the fortified wine, sherry. Harveys Bristol Cream has been a staple in the UK for decades and continues to be enjoyed by many today.
Drinking Bristol Cream
Harveys Bristol Cream is best enjoyed chilled, as an aperitif or after-dinner drink. For a full experience, serve it straight up or on the rocks with a wedge of lime or slice of orange. The citrus helps to lower the sweetness and the ice makes it more refreshing. Enjoy responsibly!
Is Bristol Cream Sherry?
Yes, Harveys Bristol Cream is a classic aperitif sherry. It is a blend of Oloroso and light cream sherries that have been aged for four years in oak casks. The resulting flavor profile is nutty and raisin-like, making it an ideal accompaniment to appetizers or desserts. Serve it very cold for best results.
Types of Harveys Bristol Cream
Yes, Harveys Bristol Cream is a unique blend of four different styles of Sherry: Oloroso, PX, Fino and Amontillado. Each style offers a different flavor profile that can add complexity to the final product. Oloroso adds nutty and caramel notes, whle PX brings in a raisiny sweetness. Fino adds crisp acidity and citrus notes, while Amontillado adds dried fruit and almond flavors. Together, these four styles create an incredibly smooth and balanced Sherry that has made it the number one selling Sherry in the world.
How Long Does Bristol Cream Sherry Stay Fresh?
Harveys Bristol Cream sherry has a shelf life of 1 year unopened, and 2 months once opened. To ensure the highest level of quality and taste, it is best to consume the sherry within 1 year from purchase, and within 2 months of opening. Once opened, it should be stored in the refrigerator and consumed promptly.
The Health Benefits of Harveys Bristol Cream
Harveys Bristol Cream is a fortified sweet sherry made from a blend of Palomino, Pedro Ximénez, and Oloroso grapes. It has low calorie density, making it a good choice for those who are watching their calorie intake. Additionally, it is rich in vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Vitamin B12, Vitamin E, Phosphorus, Calcium, Potassium, Zinc and Selenium. These vitamins and minerals can help support your overall health. Harveys Bristol Cream also contains only 11% alcohol by volume so it can be enjoyed in moderation without the risk of excessive intoxication. Therefore, Harveys Bristol Cream can be a good choice for those looking to enjoy an alcoholic beverage in moderation while sill getting some essential vitamins and minerals.
The Sweetness of Bristol Cream Sherry
Bristol Cream Sherry is a sweet sherry, produced by careful blending of Oloroso and Palomino grape varieties. It is a pale cream color, with a balanced sweetness that is lighter and fresher than other sweet sherries. The flavor profile includes notes of almonds, figs, raisins, and honey. Bristol Cream Sherry can be enjoyed chilled or at room temperature; it pairs well with desserts or as an after-dinner drink.
The Significance of the Blue Bottle for Harveys Bristol Cream
Harveys Bristol Cream is bottled in a distinctive “Bristol Blue” bottle to honor the city of Bristol's 200th anniversary. The city of Bristol was historically known for its supply of cobalt oxide, which has a deep blue hue and was used to color glass. Harveys chose to bottle their famous Cream in the iconic blue color as a tribute to the city and its long history.
The Taste of Harveys Bristol Cream Sherry
Harveys Bristol Cream is a sweet and full-bodied sherry with a rich, intense flavor. It has notes of raisins, vanilla, toffee, and a hint of dried fruits. The sweetness comes from the Pedro Ximenez grapes wich are used to make this sherry.
A good alternative to Harveys Bristol Cream is Emilio Hidalgo Pedro Ximenez Sherry. This sherry has a complex nose of dried fruits and nuts with hints of honey and caramel. On the palate it is sweet and silky with flavors of dried raisins, figs and dates that linger on the finish. It also has a wonderful balance between sweetness and acidity whih makes it an ideal match for desserts or cheese boards.
The Health Benefits of Drinking a Glass of Sherry
A glass of sherry can be beneficial for your health, as research has indicated that consuming a moderate amount of sherry can have several positive effects. Studies have found that drinking sherry can help reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease by lowering blood sugar levels and increasing HDL cholesterol levels. Additionally, moderate consumption of sherry has been linked to increased cognitive functioning and brain health, as well as improved digestion. However, it's important to remember that overconsumption of alcohol can lead to negative health impacts, so moderation is key when it coes to drinking sherry.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Harveys Bristol Cream is a unique and complex blend of wines from Jerez, known as milk sherry or Bristol Milk. It has a full-bodied and mellow taste with a long-lasting and velvety finish. The business has been making and bottling its products in Spain sine 2019 and has residual assets or shares in vineyards owned by the youngest of John Harvey's male descendants. Enjoyed chilled at 12°C in a wine glass or mixed over ice with a slice of orange, Harveys Bristol Cream is a truly indulgent experience for any occasion.
