Sercial is a white grape variety, with its roots in Madeira, Portugal.
The wines show light body, no tannin, high acidity, dry and medium alcohol.
The tasting note runs to almond, citrus, apple, nutty, almond-like and floral.
In the cellar it meets unoaked.
It is planted most seriously in Madeira.
In the vineyard it is marked by late ripening, moderate vigour and a preference for cooler.
On other labels it goes by Cerceal, Esgana Cao, Uva Cao and Verdelho Branco.
At the table it suits thinly-sliced octopus drizzled in olive oil, with toasted almond flakes, sesame-seared tofu and rack of rabbit coated in walnut.
Keeps for around 50 years.
The structure.
Where it grows.
Food pairings.
Also labelled.
Cerceal, Esgana Cao, Uva Cao, Verdelho Branco.
Bottles to look for.
- Barbeito 10 Year Old Sercial Old Reserve, Madeira, Portugal
- Barbeito Branco da Laje Sercial, Madeirense, Portugal
- Barbeito Frasqueira Sercial, Madeira, Portugal
- Barbeito Sercial, Madeira, Portugal
- Blandy's 10 Year Old Sercial, Madeira, Portugal
- Blandy's 5 Year Old Dry Sercial, Madeira, Portugal
- Blandy's Colheita Sercial, Madeira, Portugal
- Blandy's Vintage Sercial, Madeira, Portugal
Sercial: common questions
01.What does Sercial taste like?+
02.Where is Sercial from?+
03.Where is Sercial grown?+
04.What food pairs with Sercial?+
05.What else is Sercial called?+
Keep going: the A to Z grape index, or the wine regions of Portugal.