Madeira Flashcards
Where does Madeira come from?
A small island off the West Coast of Africa, 600 miles SW of Portugal in Atlantic Ocean.
How is Madeira made?
It is made by using heat in the maturation process to render a wine practically indestructible. They are high in acid, with aromas of oxidation and maderization and come out in a variety of sweetness levels.
What are the soils of Madeira like?
Fertile and volcanic, most unstable for viticulture
What is the climate of Madeira like?
Hot and humid, fungal disease is a problem, irrigation is needed
Who owns vineyards?
Henriques & Henriques is the largest independent producer, and the only company that relies on estate vineyards, rather than purchased fruit. .
What is the training method in Madeira?
Pergola, VSP is the preferred method for new plantings on flatter terrain. Mechanization is almost impossible
What is the primary grape variety of Madeira?
Tinta Negra- neutral, thin skinned black grape. Dry-sweet second rate variety.
Crossing of Pinot Noir x Grenache, accounts for 80-85% of Madeira’s production, but it is not considered one of the noble varietals.
The grape, was planted in the 19th century following the outbreak of phylloxera
Less expensive Madeira wines that are not labelled by varietal will include a high proportion of Tinta Negra.
What grape is Sercial?
White grape variety grown mostly on the north side of the island at altitude. Retains high acidity and low must weights. Makes a dry style. Citrus, and with age almond notes.
What grape is Boal?
A white grape variety grown on the South side of Island. Retains high acidity. Medium sweet, highly aromatic, darkest varietal. Caramel, nutty, roasted caramel.
Bual and Malmsey are picked first.
What grape is Malvasia Branca (Malmsey)?
A white variety grown on the South side of the island although some grown on sunny low altitude sites in the North. Achieves highest must weights of all the varieties and is made in a sweet style and high in acid.
Wines are the sweetest and softest style- On the nose, toffee, caramel and vanilla, aromas.
What is an estufa?
A stainless steel vat that heats the wine by circulating hot water in a jacket surrounding the tank. In this method, the wine is heated to a temperature of 45-50°c and held there for three months.
Wines are artificially heated to stimulate the rapid maturation brought about by a long sea journey.
How long and at what temps is Maderia heated?
A max of 55C for 90 days. Hot water circulates through a stainless steel coil in the middle of the tank, heating the wine.
How does the Madeira wine company heat tanks?
A more delicate variation on the Estufagem process involves placing the wine in wooden casks in rooms warmed by nearby tanks or steam pipes rather than the direct heat of the estufa. This subjects wines to lower temperatures over a longer period of time (up to 1 year).
What is vinho de cantiero?
Madeira that is not heated, but aged naturally by the sun up to 20 yrs.
The Canteiro method is used for the best wines. In this process, the wines are cask-aged for a period of at least two years in lodge attics, against south facing windows, or even outside exposed to the sun
In this process, the wine is subjected to the gentler, natural warmth of the sun and it undergoes a much slower process of maturation, preventing the burnt caramelisation of sugars and resulting bitter flavours associated with rapid heating.
Canteiro wines may be bottled at a minimum three years of age.
The best Vinhos de Canteiro will remain in cask for more than 20 years.
All Canteiro wines are fortified during or immediately after fermentation
Wines that remain in cask for decades are often fortified again prior to bottling.
Which varieties are typically fermented on the skins?
Malvasia and Boal
