Croquetas de Jamón

Croquetas de Jamón

Ham croquetas are a crisp fried shell around a soft béchamel studded with salty cured jamón, so the dish is rich and fried with a savoury, salty heart, wanting high acidity to cut the cream and a savoury edge to meet the ham. Sherry and sparkling both shine. Avoid heavy oak and firm tannin.

Pairs Perfectly

A Fino Sherry, Jerez, Spain. Bone-dry, nutty and saline, it cuts the fried béchamel and mirrors the cured ham's savoury depth.

Pairs Well

A Crémant, France. Traditional-method bubbles scrub the richness clean between bites.

An Albariño, Rías Baixas, Spain. Atlantic-fresh and high in acid, it lifts the cream and the salt.

Avoid

Heavily oaked whites and tannic reds, which weigh down the delicate fried cream.

Failing That

A Cava, Spain.

If All Else Fails

Picpoul de Pinet, France.

Want to be able to craft answers like this? The Vinealto Wine Coach takes you from the basics to advanced.