Sercial

Sercial is a white grape (see Sercial grape) and a corresponding style of Madeira, one of the four recognised styles of this fortified wine, the medium-dry Verdelho, the medium-sweet Bual & Terrantez and the lusciously sweet Malvasia (aka Malmsey)

Sercial is the driest style of Madeira, containing up to up to 1.5% residual sugar; Verdehlo (a medium-dry style) has up to 2.5 % residual sugar and Bual 3.5% and Malmsey/Malvasia has more than 4% residual sugar. 

Sercial is the last of the white grapes to ripen in Madeira, often as late as the mid of October, and is characterised by a high level of acidity. A minimum of twenty years ageing in cask is required for vintage Sercial Madeiras, to ensure that its razor-sharp acidity has softened. Once mature, it makes a perfect aperitif but it can also hold its own very well.

A vintage Sercial Madeira resembles a tawny Port in colour, yet the nose has pronounced citrus fruit aromas, but as the wine ages the aromatic profile becomes similar to old Rieslings.