GRAPE VARIETIES

Sercial

VINEYARDS

Various quality vineyards at Porto Moniz, Seixal and Câmara de Lobos at altitudes of up to 500m.

VINIFICATION

Blandy's 5 year old dry Sercial underwent fermentation off the skins with natural yeast at temperatures between 18°C - 21°C in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks.
After approximately 5-6 days, fortification with grape brandy takes place, arresting fermentation at the desired degree of sweetness.

MATURATION

Blandy's 5 year old Sercial was aged in American oak casks in the traditional 'Canteiro' system.
This comprises of the gentle heating of the wine in the lofts of the lodges in Funchal.
Over the years the wine is transferred from the top floors to the middle floors and eventually to the ground floor where it is cooler.
After this gradual 'estufagem' the wine underwent racking and fining before the blend was assembled and bottled.

SPECIFICATION

Alcohol: 19% 
pH: 3.3
Residual Sugar: 50 g/l
Total Acidity: 6 g/l tartaric acid

SERVING & CELLARAGE

Blandy's 5 year old Sercial is fined and does not require decanting.
It is excellent as an aperitif but is also exceedingly good with starters, fish dishes and Indian cuisine.
It has been bottled when ready for drinking and will keep for several months after opening.

PRESS COMMENTS

"Served slightly chilled, this is the perfect example of how this style of Madeira fits into place at even the most modern of dinner parties.
Its innate nuttiness, combined with a lovely dried citrus fruit edge, makes it the perfect foil to a plate of salted almonds, freshly cut spicy chorizo or picquillo peppers.
It leaves the palate feeling crisp, clean and very refreshed".

S Jones - Wine Magazine, January 2003.

AWARDS

Bronze Medal, IWC 2002