49. Madeira

Question 1

How is the grape variety Sercial used?

Answer 1

It is one of the four noble grapes of Madeira. It is used to produce dry crisp wines with mineral tones and subtle fruit and nut flavors.

Question 2

How is the grape variety Verdelho used?

Answer 2

It is one of the four noble grapes of Madeira. It is used to produce aromatic medium dry wines with marked acidity and hints of caramel.

Question 3

How is the grape variety Boal used?

Answer 3

It is one of the four noble grapes of Madeira. It is used to produce medium sweet wines showing nutty, vanilla characteristics with raisiny fruit.

Question 4

How is the grape variety Malvasia used?

Answer 4

It is one of the four noble grapes of Madeira. It is used to produce the sweetest wines with rich honey, raisin and caramel flavors.

Question 5

How is the grape variety Tinta Negra used?

Answer 5

It is one of the four noble grapes of Madeira. It is used to produce wines of varying sweetness (unlike the noble grapes which are vinified in a particular style.)

Question 6

What is the difference between Verdejo and Verdelo grape varieties?

Answer 6

Verdelo is the most planted of the noble grapes of Madiera. It is unrelated to Verdejo, one of the main grapes in Rueda.

Question 7

What are the characteristics of Finest Madeira style?

Answer 7

3 year old estufa aged Tinta Negra labelled according to the level of sweetness, Dry through Rich

Question 8

What are the characteristics of Reserve Madeira style?

Answer 8

5 year old aged wine, usually Tinta Negra but can be made from a white noble variety

Question 9

What are the largest markets for Madiera wine?

Answer 9

Japan and EU

Question 10

What was the role of Madiera wine in pre-revolutionary USA?

Answer 10

Perhaps the biggest imported wine at the time, in part because of ancient treaties between Portugal and England.

Question 11

Name the four noble grape varieties of Madiera.

Answer 11

Sercial, Boal, Malvasia, Verdelho

Question 12

Name the most common v. vinifera grape variety in Madiera.

Answer 12

Tinta Negra

Question 13

What is the local name for Malvasia in Madiera?

Answer 13

Malmsey (English corruption)

Question 14

What was the original basis of vinification for wines from Madiera?

Answer 14

Barrel ageing on long, hot sea voyages was the original approach which maximized the effect of heat and oxygen.

Question 15

What are the modern techniques for vinification of wines from Madiera?

Answer 15

canteiros and estufa

Question 16

Explain the canteiros technique for making Madeiran wine.

Answer 16

Wines are left in cask on racks called cantteiros in the lofts of the merchants’ lodges where they are heated by the sun; used for best wines; aged for 3 years

Question 17

Explain the estufa technique for making Madeiran wine.

Answer 17

Wines are heated to 45-50 d C for a minimum of 3 months in stainless steel containers, further maturation occurs at cooler temperatures; used for lower quality Madeiran wine; aged for 2 years.

Question 18

What is rainwater designation for Madeiran wine?

Answer 18

a medium dry style within the Three Year Old category

Question 19

What is Frasqueira designation for Madeiran wine?

Answer 19

there are vintage-dated wines, varietally labeled, based on noble varieties, aged for at least 20 years (but can be 100 years old)

Question 20

What is Colheita designation for Madeiran wine?

Answer 20

a vintage-dated Madeira that are aged in cask for at least 5 years