With a burnished tawny hue, Bual is the darkest of all the classic Madeira varieties. Although there is more sweetness here, the wines remain fresh and lively, with bright, clean acidity. Bual can be served both with rich meat-based dishes, or with fruity and nutty deserts, where the wine's dried-fruit and barley sugar flavours pair particularly well. Also try with cheese, crème caramel, Portuguese custard tarts or tarte tartin.