Bual

[boh-AHL; boo-AHL] 1. A white-wine grape historically associated with the island of madeira. Boal is now found there only in limited quantities. After phylloxera attacked the Madeira vineyards in the 1870s, the vineyards were eventually replanted, but the classic Madeira varieties like Boal were replaced with the hardier tinta negra mole. However, because of Common Market labeling regulations (see following discussion), Boal is expected to make a comeback. 2. After malmsey Boal is the darkest and richest of the Madeira wine styles. Originally made primarily with the Boal grape, cheaper versions of this style of Madeira began using more Tinta Negra Mole. However, in 1986, when Portugal entered the Common Market, regulations required that by 1993 any Madeira wine naming a variety on its label would have to contain at least 85 percent of that grape. This labeling requirement has caused an upsurge in replanting of the classic vines such as Boal. Wines labeled "Boal-style" can contain less than the required 85 percent and most likely contain more Tinta Negra Mole.

For the Spanish municipality, see Boal.

Bual
Notable regions:	Portugal, Spain
Notable wines:	Madeira wine

Bual (or Boal) is a variety of grape used in the production of medium-rich fortified wines from Madeira Island. According to the Geisenheim DNA Database, the name is a synonym for each of at least four white wine-producing varieties. The name can be applied to any one of several varieties including Codega, Dõna Branco, Rabigato, or Sémillon. The vines are also common in Portugal and Spain, where the fruit is used in the same way for fortified wines.

It gives its name to one of the types of Madeira wine.

See also

• List of Port wine grapes

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