Sercial

Sercial is first and foremost the popular name given to the grape which makes the driest form of Madeira. Its official Portugese name, Esgana Cão, or 'dog strangler' gives you a good ideas as to the austere nature and aggressive acidity of the wines. It's popularity is unfortunately dwindling with less than 50 acres on the island of Madeira and under 200 acres on mainland Portugal as of 2010. Although mainly used to acidify other wines, it can form incredibly vibrant and nervy, age-worthy table wines.