COLOUR
White
TYPE
Fortified
VINTAGE
N/A
GRAPE
Sercial
PRODUCER
J.H Goncalves & Co
REGION
Madeira
CHARACTERISTICS
Body
Medium - Full
Sweetness
Dry
Acidity
High
Finish
Long
Intensity
Mid - Pronounced
AROMAS & FLAVOURS
ABOUT THIS WINE
The J.H. Goncalves Sercial 5 Years is a fortified white wine from Madeira, Portugal. It is produced by J.H. Goncalves & Co., a company with a deep-rooted history under the H.M. Borges umbrella, which has been family-owned and operated for four generations since 1877. The wine is made from the Sercial grape, known for producing Madeira's driest style. Its character is significantly influenced by the traditional Madeira aging process, including the 'canteiros' system, and it carries an average age of at least five years, as indicated by its '5 Years' designation.
ALCOHOL
19.0%
AVG. PRICE
€13
STYLE
Classic
SULPHITES
YES
When to drink
Now or Later
Ideal temperature
14-14°C
INTERESTING FACTS
Fact 01
Madeira wines are known for their incredible longevity, often outliving other wine styles.
Fact 02
The 'canteiros' aging system involves gradual cask movement and exposure to controlled warmth.
Fact 03
Sercial is the driest grape variety used for Madeira, often yielding wines with a zesty, bracing character.
Fact 04
This wine is fortified with grape spirit to halt fermentation and preserve its character.
FOOD PAIRING
Read more
WINE MAKING PROCESS
The production of J.H. Goncalves Sercial 5 Years begins with the fermentation of Sercial grapes until they are almost dry. Fortification with grape spirit halts the fermentation, preserving the wine's dry character and high acidity. The wine is then aged in American oak casks using the 'canteiros' system. This traditional method involves a progressive movement of the casks through different temperature zones within the aging lodge over several years, contributing to the wine's oxidative development and complexity. The '5 Years' designation signifies that the wine has an average age of at least five years before bottling.
