4. Madeira Flashcards
What are the origins of the island of Madeira?
Madeira (the island) was colonised in 1420 by Portuguese and they cleared the island of large forest areas to plant sugar, wheat and vines.
How did the Madeira wine style come about?
Exports grew in the 17th and 18th centuries as British merchants sent wine to their colonies in WI and North America. The variable temperatures on the boats and hot conditions improved the wine.
Why was the 19th century problematic for Madeira?
Powdery mildew and phylloxera hit the island destroying vines and reducing yields almost to zero.
Why was the 20th century problematic for Madeira?
Prohibition in the USA, two world wars and the Russian Revolution impacted trade in many of its major markets.
When was The Instituto do Vinho, do Bordado e do Artesanato da Madeira (IVBAM) founded?
2006.
What is the English translation of IVBAM?
The Instituto do Vinho, do Bordado e do Artesanato da Madeira (IVBAM).
The Wine, Embroidery and Handicraft Institude of Madeira.
Portugal joined the EU in 1986. What two impacts did this have for Madeira?
1) Additional regulations.
2) EU subsidies.
Both led to improvements in quality.
What is the climate typically like in Madeira?
Temperate.
Warm, humid summers (20-22 celcius average) and mild winters (16-17 celcius).
What can be a problem in winter?
Lack of winter dormancy due to mild temperatures in the warmest sites.
What effects does the mountainous terrain of Madeira have?
The mountains cause moist air in the humid winds from the north to cool and condense into rainclouds resulting in cool and wet conditions for the north and centre of the island.
In what seasons does the majority of rain fall in Madeira?
Autumn and winter.
What are the predominant soils in Madeira?
Volcanic in origin and high in organic matter and minerals.
Up to what altitude are vines planted in Madeira?
800 MASL.
Madeira has how many hectares under vine?
450 ha.
Where are most vineyards located in Madeira?
Around the north and south coasts.
What are the six recommended grape varieties planted in Madeira?
1) Tinta Negra
2) Sercial
3) Verdelho
4) Boal
5) Malvasia
6) Terrantez
What is the most planted grape variety in Madeira?
Tinta Negra.
Since what year have producers been able to state the variety Tinta Negra on labels?
2015.
Tinta Negra is commonly used in what sort of wines?
All sweetness levels but where the level of sweetness rather than grape variety appears on the label.
Sercial is known for what?
High acidity and the driest styles of Madeira.
Sercial is resistant to what disease pressure?
Resistant to powdery mildew.
Sercial is susceptible to what disease pressure?
Susceptible to botrytis.
Verdelho is susceptible to what four threats?
1) Botrytis
2) Coulure
3) Downy mildew
4) Powdery mildew
Where does Boal grow best?
Warm, low altitude sites in the island’s south.
Boal is susceptible to what threat?
Drought and so requires irrigation.
Malvasia is susceptible to what threats?
1) Powdery mildew that can limit yields (Candida)
2) Botrytis (de Sao Jorge)
Malvasia is an umbrella term for what two grape varieties in Madeira?
1) Malvasia Candida.
2) Malvasia de Sao Jorge.
Of the two Malvasia varieties, which is the most common on Madeira?
Malvasia Candida.
To prevent powdery mildew on Malvasia, where is it best grown?
In the island’s south at altitudes of 1-200m with plenty of sun.
What two varieties are grown mostly in the north?
Verdelho & Sercial.
Which variety is grown widely across the island?
Tinta Negra.
What two varieties are grown mostly in the south?
Malvasia & Boal.
Terrantez is susceptible to what threats?
1) Powdery mildew.
2) Botrytis.
To avoid botrytis when is Terrantez typically picked (ABV potential)?
9%.
What is the pergola system referred to in Madeira?
Latadas.
What does the latada trellising system allow for?
Air circulation above and beneath the vine, which reduces the incidence of fungal disease.
Vineyards that are planted with cordon-trained, VSP-trellised vines are referred to as what?
Espaldeira.
Which is the preferred training method for new vineyards and why?
1) Espaldeira.
2) Easier to control canopy growth and carry out various vineyard tasks.