Madeira Flashcards
What is “Torna Viagem”?
“Round Trip”
-referring to the distinctive character of Madeira brought by lengthy ocean voyages: repeated heating and cooling.
What is Porto Santo?
The only other inhabited isle in the Madeira archipelago where Marsala DOP wines may be produced.
Describe the method in which most of the vineyards are trained in Madeira.
in a pergola system
-vines are suspended on low trellises known as Letadas in order to combat the dangers of fungal disease in the damp, subtropical environment
What is a levada?
Canals
-Madeira rises to a high altitude and the perpetual cloud cover over its mountainous interior results in abundant rainfall on the higher peaks which feeds the canals.
What are poios?
terraces sustained by basalt stone walls on Madeira
Who regulates harvesting and production methods of Madeira wine?
Embroidery and Handicraft Institute of Madeira
IVBAM
What is the capital of Madeira?
Funchal
What is the largest Madeira production company?
Vinhos Justino Henriques
-responsible for half of the Island’s exports
Who produces Blandy’s and Cossart Gordon?
The Madeira Wine Company.
-formed as an association of exporters and producers in 1913 and commands the second largest market share,
What is the largest independent producer of Madeira?
Henriques & Henriques
-the only company that owns a significant amount of vineyards
What is a Partidista?
- a company which stores Madeira and sells it at maturity to other traders for a profit.
- similar to the almancenistas of the sherry trade
Nam 7 Madeira production companies.
H.M. Borges (1877) Henriques & Henriques (1850) Madeira Wine Company (1913) Pereia d'Oliveira (1850 as a partidista) Vinhos Barbeito (1946) Vinhos Justino Henriques (1870) Faria & Filhos (1949)
Name the 4 principle noble white grapes of Madeira.
Sercial (Esgana Cão)
Verdelho (Gouveio)
Boal (Bual, Malvasia Fina)
Malmsey (Malvasia Candida, Malvasia Branca de São Jorge)
What grape accounts for 85% of Madeira’s total production?
Tinta Negra
In what year was Tinta Negra upraded to a noble, recommended grape.
2015
-now allowed on labels
If a variety is included on the label of Madeira whatis the min. % of the stated grape required?
85%-if multi-vintage blend
100%-if vintage is indicated
In what year did phylloxera strike Madeira?
1872
Name 3 American hybrid grapes which were introduced to Madeira during the Phylloxera Crisis.
Cunningham
Jacquet
Isabella
Name the 2 great noble grape varieties of the 19th century which were not replanted after phylloxera.
w-Terrantez
r-Bastardo
Name the varietal wines of Madeira from driest to sweetest.
Sercial
Verdelho
Boal
Malvasia
What is armazens de calor?
- rooms warmed by nearby tanks or steam pipes rather than the direct heat of the estufa.
- chiefly utilized by the Madeira wine company
- lower temperatures over a longer time
Describe the Canteiro process.
- Used for producers’ best wines
- wines are cask aged for a period of at least 2 years in lodge attics
- wines are exposed to the gentler, natural warmth of the sun
- may be bottled at min. 3 years of age
What are Frasquieras?
- the best Vinhos de Canteiro that remain in cask for 20 years or more
- the rarest and most treasured wines of Madeira
What is Rainwater Madeira?
- a multi-vintage Madeira that is popular in the US
- usually 100% Tinta Negra
- youngest wine in the blend is a min. 3 years old
- medium dry, light in style
