Region: Madeira, Portugal
GRAPE VARIETIES: Bual
VINEYARDS: Various quality vineyards at Campanário and Calheta at altitudes of between 100 and 300m.
VINIFICATION
Blandy’s 5 year old Bual underwent fermentation off the skins with natural yeast at temperatures between 18°C – 21°C in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks. After approximately 3 days, fortification with grape brandy takes place, arresting fermentation at the desired degree of sweetness.
MATURATION
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.
SPECIFICATION
Alcohol: 19%
pH: 3.4
Residual Sugar: 100 g/l
Total Acidity: 6.3 g/l tartaric acid
SERVING &CELLARAGE
Blandy’s 5 year old Bual is fined and does not require decanting. It is excellent as an after dinner drink and also very good with fruit, milk chocolate, cakes and hard cheeses. It has been bottled when ready for drinking and will keep for several months after opening.
PRESS COMMENTS
“Raisins, toffee and roast nuts on the nose. A complex, medium-weight wine with a superb tangy finish. A real tastebud teaser, this would make an excellent aperitif.”
Wine, October 2003
AWARDS
Bronze Medal, IWC 2004
TASTING NOTES
Clear, amber colour with tinges of gold; a bouquet of dried fruit, vanilla, wood and toffee with a smooth, medium-sweet finish and an excellent balance between the fruit and acidity.
