Variety - Bual
Winemaker - Francisco Albuquerque
Appellation - Madeira, Portugal
Vineyard - Various quality vineyards at Campanário and Calheta ataltitudes of between 100 and 300m
Alcohol - 19%
Case Production - N/A
Vinification and Elevage - Blandy's 5 year old Bual 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. The wine underwent fermentation off the skins with natural yeast at temperatures between 64°F - 70°F in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks. After approximately 3 days, fortification with grape brandy takes place, arresting fermentation at the desired degree of sweetness.
Bual is a name given to several varieties of grape cultivated in Portugal, notably in the production of medium-rich fortified wines from Madeira Island. Madeira from Bual is typically less sweet than that from Malmsey, but more sweet than Sercial or Verdelho.
