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WSET Diploma D5: Fortified > Madeira > Flashcards

Madeira Flashcards

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1
Q

Where is the Island of Madeira located?

A

600 km west of Morocco, 400 km north of the Canary Islands

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2
Q

When was Madeira first colonized?

A

1420 by the Portuguese

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3
Q

How did wine become the focus of Madeira’s export economy?

A
  • Originally, Madeira was exporting sugar, wheat and wine
  • Competition in sugar production decreased demand in the 1500’s
  • Wine (likely unfortified at first) grew through the 1700’s as British merchants began shipping wine home
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4
Q

When did Madeira become known for fortified wines?

A

Likely around the same time (and for the same reasons) as Port, in the late 17th century

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5
Q

Where did the process of heating and cooling Madeira wine come from?

A
  • Variable temperatures and long journeys were shown to improve quality
  • Ships began using casks of Madeira as ballasts, with the intention of improving the wine
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6
Q

What major challenges did Madeira face throughout the 19th and 20th centuries?

A
  • Powdery Mildew & Phylloxera (late 19th)
  • Russian Revolution (1917-1923)
  • U.S. Prohibition (1920-1933)
  • Two World Wars
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7
Q

What was the Instituto do Vinho da Madeira?

A
  • First regulatory body in Maderia, established in 1979
  • Superseded by IVBAM (the Instituto do Vinho, do Bordado e do Artesanato e Bebidas Espirituosas da Madeira, IP-RAM) in 2006
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8
Q

What political event improved the quality of Madeira in 1986?

A

Portugal joined the EU

  • Added EU regulations & protections
  • EU subsidies
  • More foreign investment
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9
Q

Describe the climate of Madeira

A
  1. Warm, mediterranean
  2. Very small seasonal temperature shifts (68-71°F in summer, 61-63°F in winter)
  3. Large range in meso-climates (oceanic & sub-tropical)
  4. Altitude can reach up to 1,800 meters (mountains formed from volcanic activity)
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10
Q

Why is there such a large range of meso-climates in Maderia?

A

Mountains cause moist air from the north to cool and condense closer to the center of the island (the highest altitudes), leading to rainclouds.

  • The center of the island can receive up to 3,000mm of rain a year
  • The main growing areas receive around 600mm of rain
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11
Q

How much area is under vine in Madeira?

A

450ha

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12
Q

Describe the general vineyard conditions of Madeira

A
  • Closer to the coast
  • Around 800m in altitude
  • Volcanic soils, high in nutrients
  • Vigorous vines
  • Usually planted on terraced vineyards (steep slopes)
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13
Q

What is the name of the vine training system in Madeira?

A

Latadas

A kind of pergola system
- Increased air circulation to prevent fungal disease
- Space for other crops to grow underneath

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14
Q

How large is the average vineyard on the island of Madeira?

A

.3 ha, which is why spacial efficiency is emphasized regarding Latadas

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15
Q

What is Espaldeir?

A

A vine training system using single cordon, spur pruned vines, and VSP canopies

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16
Q

What diseases are common on Maderia? What are typical solutions?

A

Disease pressure
- Downy mildew
- Powdery mildew
- Grey rot
- Phomopsis

Solutions
- Shoot positioning
- Leaf removal
- Fungicide (usually necessary, regardless of other precautions)

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17
Q

Is irrigation allowed for viticulture on Madeira?

A

Yes, and it’s often especially necessary in the south

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18
Q

What is a Levada?

A

A small irrigation channel that connects vineyards to the rainwater on the center of the island

19
Q

How is the harvesting date decided?

A

By the IVBAM, with the consultation of growers and producers

20
Q

When is a normal official start to the harvest on Madeira?

A

At the end of August, early September

21
Q

Is harvesting on Madeira usually handpicked or done mechanically?

A

Handpicked, because the steep terrain won’t allow for tractors

22
Q

What is the minimum potential ABV for grapes to be harvested on Madeira?

A

9% minimum, but most grapes will not reach more than 11% at the time of picking

23
Q

What are the maximum yields in Madeira?

A

Vintage dependent, but 150 hL/ha is not uncommon.

Fertile soils, warm temperature, and an abundance of water lead to high yields

24
Q

What were common varieties planted before phylloxera?

A

Malvasia, Terrantez, Verdehlo (the most planted pre-phylloxera)

25
Q

How did Phylloxera affect the grape varieties planted on Maderia?

A

Vinifera was largely replaced by American and hybrids because of their disease/pest resistance and high yields

26
Q

How many plantings of American and hybrids still exist on Maderia?

A

Little, if any.

They are no longer allowed for use in Madeira production

27
Q

When did vinifera start to make a comeback on Madeira?

A

The late 1980’s

EU subsidies allowed many vines to be replanted to vinifera

28
Q

How are vinifera grapes categorized for Madeira production?

A

“Recommended” and “Authorised”

29
Q

What grapes are categorized as “recommended” for Madeira production?

A

Sercial, Boal, Malvasia, Verdehlo, Terrantez, Tinta Negra.

30
Q

Why do Sercial, Boal, Malvasia, Verdehlo, and Terrantez grapes fetch for higher prices than Tinta Negra?

A
  • They are the “traditional” varieties of Madeira, capable of higher quality
  • Plantings of these varieties are relatively small
31
Q

Why is Tinta Negra so common on Madeira?

A

It was the main vinifera grapes planted post-phylloxera

  • Easy to grow
  • High yielding
  • Makes wines of all sweetness levels
32
Q

What grapes are characterized as “authorized”?

A

Vinifera grapes planted after phylloxera that aren’t capable of the same quality of the other traditional varieties

33
Q

Can Tinta Negra appear on the label of a bottle of Madeira?

A

Yes, but it’s more common to label it by sweetness

34
Q

What are the important characteristics of Sercial? (7 total)

A
  • Used in the driest style of Madeira
  • High acidity
  • Late ripening, often the last to be picked
  • Grown in cooler sites
  • Resistant to powdery mildew, but susceptible to grey rot
  • Prone to poor fruit set
  • Small plantings on the island
35
Q

What are the important characteristics of Boal? (5 total)

A
  • AKA Malvasia Fina (used to make White Port)
  • Makes semi-sweet wines
  • Thrives in low altitude, warm environments
  • Mostly planted on the southern part of the island
  • Prone to drought, needs irrigation
36
Q

What are the important characteristics of Verdelho? (3 total)

A
  • High acidity, but lower than Sercial
  • Second most planted on the island
  • Susceptible to many diseases/hazards (grey rot, coulure, downy mildew and powdery mildew)
37
Q

What are some grapes that might be referred to as Malvasia?

A
  • Malvasia Cândida
  • Malvasia de São Jorge
38
Q

What are some important characteristics of Malvasia Cândida ?

A
  • A historically important white variety known for high quality
  • High acidity
  • Very susceptible to grey rot
  • Very limited plantings
39
Q

What are some important characteristics of Malvasia de São Jorge?

A
  • Most common Malvasia on Madeira
  • The main grape that makes Malmsey
  • Reliably high yielding
  • High acid
  • High sugar
  • Very susceptible to grey rot
40
Q

What are some important characteristics of Terrantez?

A
  • Very limited plantings
  • Very susceptible to powdery mildew and botrytis
  • Often picked soon after it reaches 9% potential ABV
41
Q

What is the first step of grape reception at the winery in Madeira?

A

A representative of the IVBAM must be present to check the weight, health, potential alcohol of the grapes

42
Q

What ABV do most Madeira wines contain after fermentation?

A

17-18%

43
Q
A

WSET Diploma D5: Fortified (8 decks)

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