Madeira Flashcards
Madeira is a Portuguese island in the Atlantic Ocean, around 600 km from the coast of
Morocco.
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The 19th and 20th centuries were more difficult for the Madeira wine trade as Powdery mildew and then phylloxera hit the island destroying vines and reducing yields.
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The Instituto do Vinho da Madeira was founded in 1979 to regulate Madeira production.
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In 1986 Portugal became part of the EU!
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The soils are of volcanic origin and high in nutrients. This, together with plentiful rain, provides fertile conditions and therefore vigorous vines.
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The wines from varieties such as Malvasia (low altitude) and Terrantez are highly esteemed, and Verdelho is the most planted grape variety. plus Boal and Sercial (high altitude) + Tinta Negra, Bastardo, Complexa
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Sercial – extra dry or dry. They tend to be the lightest coloured and bodied of the varietal wines, with notes of citrus peel and nuts.
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Verdelho – medium dry. Verdelho usually has more residual sugar and therefore more body and a rounder texture than Sercial. The slight sweetness on the palate also gives the impression of sweeter flavours such as candied fruits. It may be slightly darker in colour than Sercial.
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Boal – medium sweet. Boal is fuller and sweeter than Verdelho. It is yet darker in colour, with flavours of caramel, chocolate and candied nuts.
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Malvasia – sweet. Malvasia, also called Malmsey, tends to be full-bodied, and often brown in colour. It is the sweetest style, but still balanced by refreshing high acidity. The wines can show notes of raisins and caramel.
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Madeira has a slightly bitter taste that is called rancio.
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DOP Madeira is an appellation for fortified wines.
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The vines for Madeira production grow on the hillside in small plots called poios or terraces all round the coast of the island.
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If there is no grape variety name on a bottle of Madeira it is made from Tinta Negra.
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All Madeiras are fortified with 96 percent abv brandy, from France and Spain.
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