Grape in focus
Bical: the fresh white grape of Bairrada
Bical is a white grape from Bairrada with fresh acidity and a delicate scent of peach. It is the base of many Bairrada sparkling wines and, made on its own, can age surprisingly well.
Bical at a glance
| Origin | Portugal, mainly Bairrada |
|---|---|
| Other names | Borrado das Moscas in the Dão |
| Main regions | Bairrada and Dão |
| Plantings | About 1,200 ha (2020) |
| In the vineyard | Keeps good acidity in the cool, damp climate of Bairrada |
| Taste | Peach, citrus and white flowers, fresh acidity; with age honey and a hint reminiscent of riesling |
| Styles | Sparkling, dry white, pure or in a blend |
Read more about the other Portuguese grapes in our overview of Portuguese grape varieties.
A grape for sparkling wine
Bairrada has made traditional-method sparkling wine since 1890, and Bical is one of the leading players. Together with Maria Gomes, as Fernão Pires is called here, and Arinto, it forms the basis of the classic Bairrada sparkling wines: Maria Gomes brings aroma, Bical and Arinto bring freshness. In our range you find them at Caves São João, Quinta das Bágeiras and Filipa Pato.
Pure and for keeping
Made on its own, Bical shows more peach and flowers. Good wines can keep for a long time: after ten years or so in bottle, Bical sometimes develops a bouquet reminiscent of riesling. Filipa Pato and William Wouters make two pure Bical wines, Nossa Calcário branco and Flos Castanea. At Quinta das Bágeiras it goes into the Garrafeira branco, and Niepoort uses it in Gonçalves Faria.
Borrado das Moscas in the Dão
In the Dão the grape is called Borrado das Moscas, literally fly droppings. There it is often blended with Encruzado and Cerceal, as in Alvaro Castro’s white Dão, Luis Seabra’s Granito Cru and the white wines of MOB.
What to eat with it?
Bairrada sparkling wines belong with leitão, the region’s roast suckling pig, but also with oysters and Belgian shrimp croquettes. Still Bical suits cod, bacalhau, poultry in a creamy sauce or an asparagus risotto. Older Bical can even handle veal.
Our wines with Bical
From pure Bical to sparkling wines and Dão blends. Each bottle shows which grapes it is made from.
Bairrada
Sparkling
Buçaco
Dão
Alentejo
Rosé
Frequently asked questions about Bical
What does Borrado das Moscas mean?
Literally fly droppings. That is what Bical is called in the Dão.
Can Bical age?
Yes, good pure Bical can keep for ten years or more and gains complexity. Most blends are best within three years.
At what temperature should you serve Bical?
Sparkling around 6 to 8 °C, still wine around 10 °C, older wines a little warmer.
Plantings: IVV, castas mais utilizadas 2025 (ivv.gov.pt). Background: The Oxford Companion to Wine, via JancisRobinson.com.