What is Boal
The name Boal is used to describe at least five distinct sub-varieties of wine grape grown in Portugal.
By far, the most common subvariety is Boal Cachudo, a white wine grape often known simply as Boal or by its anglicized name, Bual. It is a principal grape used in the production of fortified wines on the island of Madeira. Boal is also the local Madeira name for a grape known elsewhere as Malvasia Fina. It is worthwhile to clarify the connection between Boal Cachudo and Malvasia.
Boal Cachudo vs. Malvasia Fina
There are at least 20 distinct grape varieties that bear the word “Malvasia” in their name. Most, though not all, produce white wine. Different Malvasia grapes are cultivated throughout Italy, the Iberian Peninsula and, to a lesser extent, in Germany.
Of these, Malvasia Fina is a particularly important variety. Malvasia Fina is cultivated in Portugal’s Dão and Douro regions, where it produces white wines. Under the name Gual, it is also grown on the volcanic soils of the Canary Islands to produce aromatic white wines with medium body and high acidity. Most important is the Malvasia Fina, grown—albeit under the name Boal—on the island of Madeira, where it is used to make fortified wines.
About Boal Cachudo
Boal is one of the four so-called “noble grapes” historically used to produce Madeira wine. Each of the four has its own distinctive style and level of sweetness. The others are Sercial, Verdelho, and, perhaps confusingly, Malvasia.
The grape known on Madeira as Malvasia is not the same as Malvasia Fina, but is a distinct variety, Malvasia di Lipari (also known as Malvasia Cândida). Madeira wine produced from this Malvasia grape is often labelled and sold under the name Malmsey.
Today, the importance of the noble grapes has largely been replaced by Tinta Negra. This versatile red wine grape can be vinified to produce Madeira wines in a wider range of styles than any of the noble grapes. Madeira made from Tinta Negra cannot be labeled as such and can only be labeled by style ranging from dry to sweet.
Madeira wine produced from Boal is medium-sweet—sweeter than Sercial and Verdelho, and slightly less so than Malmsey. When tasting a Boal Madeira, you can typically expect to find a tawny brown or yellow color in the glass, and an aromatic nose of nuts, raisins and vanilla. On the palate, the best examples will strike a harmonious balance between sugar and acidity, and typical descriptors include dried fruit, caramel, crème brûlée, burnt sugar and maple syrup.
The other distinct subvarieties of Boal are Boal Barreiro, Boal Branco, Boal Espinho and Boal Ratinho.
Our expert tasters at Wine Enthusiast Magazine have rated thousands of beverages, and shared their reviews in the Buying Guide database below. Find a new favorite or taste test a few unique varietals. We have all the information you could hope to find on Boal and the other noble grapes.
