MADEIRA

Question 1

Where is wine labeled Madeira DOC produced?

Answer 1

On the island of Madeira as well as the island of Porto Santo.

Question 2

What is unfortified wine from Madeira DOC labeled as?

Answer 2

Madeirense DOC or Terras Madeirenses VR.

Question 3

Where is Madeira located and what is the climate?

Answer 3

Situated in the Atlantic Ocean at 33° north latitude, the island has a mild subtropical climate with little annual temperature variation.

Question 4

How are vineyards in Madeira irrigated?

Answer 4

Through a system of canals called “levadas”

Question 5

What are the noble grapes of Madeira?

Answer 5

Sercial, Verdelho, Boal, and Malvasia (also referred to as Malmsey).

Question 6

What is the most widely planted variety on Madeira?

Answer 6

Tinta Negra

Question 7

Dry and Sweet styles of Port use different grapes - what are they?

Answer 7

Dry: Sercial, Verdelho, or Tinta Negra,
Sweet: Boal, Malvasia, or Tinta Negra,

Question 8

What are the two methods of maderizing Port? Which is considered to be superior?

Answer 8

Canteiro and Estufagem. Wines produced using the Canteiro method are considered to be of the highest quality.

Question 9

What is the minimum aging period for wines maderized by the “canteiro” method?

Answer 9

3 years

Question 10

What is the process used in the “estafagem” method of maderization known as? What does it involve and how long does it last?

Answer 10

“Cuba de calor”; Hot water is circulated through a submerged coil within the vessel for a minimum of 90 days, heating the wine to 113°F to 122°F (45°C to 50°C).
After this process, the wine rests in the estufa for a minimum of 90 days.

Question 11

What is a variant of the “cuba de calor” process known as? What does it involve and how long does it last?

Answer 11

“armazem de calor” which involves leaving the wine in vats in a large room that is heated by steam to over 120°F (49°C) for six months to one year. The wine itself reaches temperatures of 86°F to 100°F (30°to 38°C).

Question 12

What is the minimum amount of time until wines using either “estafagem” method may be released?

Answer 12

Two years

Question 13

What are the names of the classic styles of Madeira from dryest to sweetest?

Answer 13

Sercial, Verdelho, Boal, Malmsey

Question 14

What does the term “Rainwater” mean on a Port label?

Answer 14

Rainwater is a traditional name for an off-dry blend with a golden or semi-golden color; intended to be a lighter style of Madeira.

Question 15

What does the term “Colheita” mean on a Port label?

Answer 15

Colheita is produced from a single vintage (85% minimum) and aged for at least 5 years before bottling

Question 16

What does the term “Frasqueira” mean on a Port label?

Answer 16

Frasqueira is vintage Madeira, cask aged for a minimum of 20 years.