Grape · White
Sercial
Also known as Esgana Cão in mainland Portugal
Cool climate
About
The driest rung of Madeira's ladder, grown on the island's coolest, highest terraces and known on the mainland as Esgana Cão, the dog-strangler, for its ferocious acidity. Decades in warm lodge casks turn it into pale amber wine of almonds, dried citrus, and sea air, bone-dry on the finish and almost immortal. The classic aperitif Madeira.
Typical profile
Body
Moderate
Acidity
Electric
Sweetness
Off-dry
Aromas
What the grape gives up young, and what it grows into with time in bottle.
Oak influence
Common
Aging
Ten-year and older blends are the benchmark; frasqueira vintages last a century.
Growing regions
How the grape expresses across places, grouped by country. Chips call out how a region's style deviates from the grape's default.
Food pairings
salted almondsgreen olivesconsommésushiaged hard cheese