Fortified - Madeira Flashcards
What’s the island called that neighbours Madeira?
Porto Santo
What are Poios?
Walls of basalt that sustain terraces.
What are Latadas?
Part of a pergola system, these are low trellises.
What are Levadas?
Canals that feed water to the agricultural areas on Madeira.
What’s a grape synonym for Boal?
Malvasia Fina
Which noble grape varieties are harvested last? And first?
Last - Sercial and Verdelho
First - Boal and Malvasia
What’s the ABV of the grape spirit used for fortification?
96% abv
Describe Estufagem.
A production method on Madeira - an estufa is a stainless steel vat that warms the wine by circulating hot water through serpentine coils inside the tank.
Describe Canteiro.
The wines in the Canteiro method are cask-aged for a period of at least 2 years in lodge attics. The wine is exposed to gentler, natural warmth of the sun. It’s a slower process of maturation.
When can Estufagem wines be released?
Two years after harvest.
What’s the variant on Estufagem called in which the wines are placed in rooms warmed by nearby tanks or steam pipes rather than direct heat of estufa?
Armazens de Calor rooms
What’s the minimum ageing requirement for Canteiro wines?
Vinho de Canteiro has to age for a minimum of 2 years in wood, and may not be bottled for 36 months after the final fortification.
What are the 3 companies involved in Madeira production?
Producing companies
Shipping companies (eg. Broadbent Selections)
Partidistas
Name Madeira producers.
HM Borges
Henriques & Henriques
Madeira Wine Company
Pereira d’Oliviera
Vinhos Barbeito
Vinhos Justino Henriques
Faria & Filhos
Madeira Vintners
What are the age indications for Madeira?
3
5
10
15
Age is an indication of style, not the actual age or minimum age.
True or false - if a variety is included on the label, the wine must contain a minimum of 85% of the stated grape if the wine is a multi-vintage blend, or 100% of the stated variety if a vintage is indicated.
True
What’s the common RS on wines labelled Sercial, Verdelho, Boal and Malvasia?
Sercial - 18-65
Verdelho - medium dry - 49-78
Boal - medium sweet - 78 - 96
Malmsey - 96 - 135
What’s the grape for Rainwater Madeira?
Tinta Negra.
What is Reserve Madeira?
Madeira that is 5 years of age or older, but below 10 years of age, may use this designation.
What is Seleccionado Madeira?
Blended wine that is at least 3 years old, but below 5 years of age. These wines are dominated by Tinta Negra, heated in Estufagem and aged in tank rather than cask. Finest, Choice, or Select are label terms within the style.
What is Special Reserve Madeira?
Madeira that is 10 years of age or older, but below 15 years of age. Wines in this style usually made with one noble grape variety and heated by Canteiro method.
What is Extra Reserve Madeira?
Madeira that is 15 years of age or older, but below 20 years of age.
T/F - a Solera on Madeira often served to extend the lifespan of a particular vintage, when there was little or no wine to sell in the following year. To accomplish this, producers refreshed Soleras with stocks of older, rather than younger wines. The wines need to stay a minimum of 5 years in Solera, after which 10% may be drawn off each year for a maximum of 10 additions.
True
What is ageing requirement for Colheita?
Min 5 years
What is ageing requirement for Frasqueira?
Min 20 years.
Single noble variety must be used.
What is the DOP called that allows for Branco, Rosado and Tinto wines on the islands of Madeira and Porto Santo?
Madeirense DOP
What’s the main soil type on Madeira?
Volcanic. Red and yellow tufa.
