Fortified - Madeira

Question 1

What’s the island called that neighbours Madeira?

Answer 1

Porto Santo

Question 2

What are Poios?

Answer 2

Walls of basalt that sustain terraces.

Question 3

What are Latadas?

Answer 3

Part of a pergola system, these are low trellises.

Question 4

What are Levadas?

Answer 4

Canals that feed water to the agricultural areas on Madeira.

Question 5

What’s a grape synonym for Boal?

Answer 5

Malvasia Fina

Question 6

Which noble grape varieties are harvested last? And first?

Answer 6

Last - Sercial and Verdelho
First - Boal and Malvasia

Question 7

What’s the ABV of the grape spirit used for fortification?

Answer 7

96% abv

Question 8

Describe Estufagem.

Answer 8

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.

Question 9

Describe Canteiro.

Answer 9

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.

Question 10

When can Estufagem wines be released?

Answer 10

Two years after harvest.

Question 11

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?

Answer 11

Armazens de Calor rooms

Question 12

What’s the minimum ageing requirement for Canteiro wines?

Answer 12

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.

Question 13

What are the 3 companies involved in Madeira production?

Answer 13

Producing companies
Shipping companies (eg. Broadbent Selections)
Partidistas

Question 14

Name Madeira producers.

Answer 14

HM Borges
Henriques & Henriques
Madeira Wine Company
Pereira d’Oliviera
Vinhos Barbeito
Vinhos Justino Henriques
Faria & Filhos
Madeira Vintners

Question 15

What are the age indications for Madeira?

Answer 15

3
5
10
15
Age is an indication of style, not the actual age or minimum age.

Question 16

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.

Answer 16

True

Question 17

What’s the common RS on wines labelled Sercial, Verdelho, Boal and Malvasia?

Answer 17

Sercial - 18-65
Verdelho - medium dry - 49-78
Boal - medium sweet - 78 - 96
Malmsey - 96 - 135

Question 18

What’s the grape for Rainwater Madeira?

Answer 18

Tinta Negra.

Question 19

What is Reserve Madeira?

Answer 19

Madeira that is 5 years of age or older, but below 10 years of age, may use this designation.

Question 20

What is Seleccionado Madeira?

Answer 20

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.

Question 21

What is Special Reserve Madeira?

Answer 21

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.

Question 22

What is Extra Reserve Madeira?

Answer 22

Madeira that is 15 years of age or older, but below 20 years of age.

Question 23

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.

Answer 23

True

Question 24

What is ageing requirement for Colheita?

Answer 24

Min 5 years

Question 25

What is ageing requirement for Frasqueira?

Answer 25

Min 20 years.
Single noble variety must be used.

Question 26

What is the DOP called that allows for Branco, Rosado and Tinto wines on the islands of Madeira and Porto Santo?

Answer 26

Madeirense DOP

Question 27

What’s the main soil type on Madeira?

Answer 27

Volcanic. Red and yellow tufa.