Which statement about Madeira production is true?

• A. It uses dry Sercial & Verdelho for dry styles and Bual & Malmsey for sweet styles.
• B. It uses only white grape varieties.
• C. It is produced only in the Douro region.
• D. It uses Touriga Nacional as the primary grape.

Answer: (A)

Madeira's style is determined by grape variety. The driest styles come from Sercial and Verdelho, while the sweetest styles come from Bual and Malvasia (Malmsey). That relationship is why the statement pairing dry styles with Sercial/Verdelho and sweet styles with Bual/Malmsey is correct. Madeira is produced on the island of Madeira, not in the Douro, and while the four traditional white varieties cover most styles, modern makers also use other grapes like Tinta Negra Mole; Touriga Nacional is not the typical primary grape for Madeira.