Madeira Flashcards by Kathryn Aldrich

What is the first regulating body for Madeira production, and when was it founded?

Instituto do Vinho de Madeira

1979

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What is the IVBAM, and when was it established?

New regulating body for Madeira production in 2006

Instituto do Vinho do Bordado e do Artesanato de Madeira

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Describe the climate of Madeira and climate issues surrounding the island?

Warm summer, mild winter
Humid
Mountainous, up to 1800m altitude
Lack of winter dormancy
High rainfall in the North/Center

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Size of Madeira, and hectares planted?

74000 ha

450 ha

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Location and altitude of Madeira vineyards?

Plantings near the coast

800m elevation

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Describe the soil and vigor found in Madeira?

Volcanic soils
High in nutrients
Fertile conditions
Highly vigorous

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Name the four noble grapes and the two recommended grapes in Madeira?

Noble:
Sercial, Verdelho, Boal, Malvasia
Recommended:
Terrantez, Tinta Negra

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Describe Tinta Negra grapes?

High yielding
Easy growing
Most planted variety
Any sweetness level
Only stated on labels since 2015

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Describe Sercial grapes?

Late ripening
High acidity
Resistant to powdery mildew
Susceptible to botrytis
Poor fruit set
Creates dry styles

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Describe Verdelho grapes?

High acidity
Susceptible to botrytis, coulure, and downy/powdery mildews
Second-most planted variety

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Describe Boal grapes?

Primary varietal is Boal Cachudo (Malvasia Fina)
Grows best in warm, low altitude sites in the South
Susceptible to drought
Creates semi-sweet styles

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Describe Malvasia grapes?

Most common is Malvasia de Sao Jorge
High-yielding but susceptible to botrytis

Historically, Malvasia Candida
High quality but low yielding
Susceptible to powdery mildew

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Describe Terrantez grapes?

Very limited plantings

Susceptible to powdery mildew and botrytis

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Define latadas?

A pergola trellising system in Madeira

Allows circulation above and beneath the vine, reducing fungal disease

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What are VSP-trellised vines called in Madeira?

Espaldeira

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Common vineyard practices in Madeira?

Fungicide sprays
Canopy management
Irrigation
Hand harvesting

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Irrigation channels in Madeira?

Levadas

Yields and potential ABV of vines in Madeira?

High yields around 150 hL/ha

9-11% potential ABV

Common winemaking techniques in Madeira?

Skin contact in fermentation for reds, occasionally with whites
Stainless steel
Ambient yeast
96% ABV spirit for fortification (neutral)
Fining/Filtering

Name the roles of the IVBAM?

Decide harvest date
Inspect all grapes on arrival at the winery
Quality check all fortification spirit
Seal and unseal estufas/canteiro vessels
Offer subsidies to offset 5+ years aging
Supervise quality checks on aging product
Tasting panel for Madeira with an Indication of Age
Monitors stocks
Visit growers and provide advice/support
Regulation on labeling

Describe Estufagem?

Heating the wine in temp-controlled stainless vessels - estufas
45-50C for 3 months
Oxidation permitted - vessels not filled
Wine cooled, rest 6-12 months

Describe Canteiro?

Higher quality than Estufagem
Wine matured in old oak in warm environment
400-700L vessels with headspace for oxidation
25-40C
Evaporation will raise ABV to 19-20% over time

Common adjustments in Madeira?

Add color - caramel
Strip color - carbon fining
Sweetening - RCGM

Define sweetness levels in Madeira?

Not regulated, official terms - producer determined

Extra dry, dry, medium dry, medium sweet/rich, sweet/rich

Style of Sercial?

Extra dry or dry Lightest colored/bodied Citrus peel/nutty

Style of Verdelho?

Medium dry More body/round texture than Sercial Candied fruit flavors

Style of Boal?

Medium sweet Fuller bodied Caramel, chocolate, candied nuts

Style of Malvasia/Malmsey?

``` Sweet Full bodied Brown High acidity Raisins/caramel ```

Style of Terrantez?

Medium dry/Medium sweet Delicate Citrus peel, caramel, floral

What law changed in 2015?

All Madeira must be labeled with a bottling date

Age indicators for non-vintage Madeira?

5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, more than 50 | Verified by IVBAM's tasting panel

Release of standard blend Madeira's, and examples?

2-3 years after harvest "Corrente" by IVBAM Blandy's Duke of Clarence Henriques & Henriques Full Rich Madeira

Describe Rainwater Madeira?

Light style 18% ABV Medium dry Maximum age of 10 years

Describe Frasqueira?

``` AKA Garrafeira Flagship from producer Minimum 20 years aging in wood Single varietal Single vintage - list harvest and bottling years on bottle ```

Describe Colheita Madeira?

Vintage Madeira Minimum 5 years aging in wood New category since 2000, but now made by all producers

Grower/producer ratio?

Over 1000 growers | Eight producers

Three largest Madeira producers?

Justino's Madeira Wine Company* Henriques & Henriques* *only two to own/rent their own vineyards

How do producers source grapes?

Through a consulting agent that coordinates through harvest | Each producer will work with several hundred growers

Current Madeira sales trends?

Stable for decades 3.2 million L Colheita/Frasqueira outsells 20-50yr Madeira

Largest markets for Madeira?

France Madeira Germany Japan

Difference in cooking Madeira, and what is the volume?

1/5 of total Madeira sales | May have added salt and pepper