The Wines of Madeira

The Wines of Madeira

Take an island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, 90% of it is mountainous and with volcanic soils. Now give it a tropical climate (never less than 60 degrees Fahrenheit) with high humidity at night time. 

Terrace the mountains and plant just about 400 hectares of vineyards with the vines growing on pergolas so you can grow your everyday vegetables under them and maybe even a banana tree here and there.

Harvest the never to be ripe grapes and try to make wine with them. Oh, and don't forget to heat the wine up to temperatures that shall remain unmentioned. Once you finish with heat, allow the wine to oxidize for good measure.
The end result? The beautiful wines of Madeira. From bone dry to extremely sweet, (Sercial, Verdelho, Boal and Malvasia) ranging from 3,5,10,15,20,30 and 40 year old blends, to a Colheita and Frasquera.

Sercial: Dry, Verdelho: Medium Dry

Boal: Medium Sweet, Malvasia/Malmsey: Sweet

Colheita: Vintage wine, with 5 years minimum age

Frasquera: Vintage wine with 20 years minimum age

The wines of Madeira have always been the secret of every oenophile out there. Wines with longevity-- some vintages available today go back 300 years and are practically indestructible.

Madeira has only 8 wineries in total, and only 6 are able to export wine (one of them being new and unable to release wines yet, and one winery that can only sell locally). With 6 wineries to supply the entire world with Madeira wine, demand and supply are never equal. It is no wonder they are not always available, but once obtained is a treasure worth sharing with friends.

H.M. Borges Sercial 1979

Aromas of dates, apricot, figs, peach and orange. Clean and dry medium-bodied wine, beautifully balanced and great acidity. Big and long dry finish, with flavors of spicy wood, honey and nutty lingering.

D’Oliveiras Terrantez 1977

Aromas of fig, walnuts and ‘brandy’ followed by tried fruits, chocolate and a combination of citrus and woody aromas. Soft and round on the palate, with soft acidity and flavors of orange and lemon lingering on the palate. Long persistent finish.

H&H Single Harvest Colheita 2003

Aromas of green apples, medium-bodied and medium dry on the palate with flavors of cocoa and coffee. Bright acidity on the finish.

Justino’s Colheita 1995

Nutty, fig and toasty aromas, soft and round on the palate with subtle acidity and a rich mouthfeel. Long woody finish.

H&H Single Harvest Boal 2000

Aromas of apple, peach and apricot combined with notes of smoke and iodine.  Medium-bodied with honey notes, long spicy lingering finish.