Unfortified, it makes rather neutral and characterless rosés or pale reds, sometimes amber-coloured owing to premature oxidation. From vine to vine in the vineyard, grape colour can vary from bluish-black to pink. Luckily, variable and wishy-washy colour is not a problem as far as Madeira's fortified wines are concerned. The variety became popular on Madeira because of its high yields, resistance to diseases and great versatility - it was dubbed "the cameleon grape" because of its ability to emulate the styles of the island's historic "noble" varieties.