Portugal - Madeira Flashcards
DOP of
Madeira
Madeira DOP
Madeirenses DOP
Also has 1 IGP:
Terras Madeirensas IGP
IGP of
Madeira
Terras Madeirenses IGP
* Includes wines from Madeira, Porto Santo
What is the regulating body of Madeira?
IVBAM
Wine, Embroidery and Handicraft Institute of Madeira
Instituto do Vinho, do Bordado e do Artesanato da Madeira
Principal Madeira Soils?
- *Pedra Molle**
- a sandy (arenaceous) soil, of decomposed yellow tufa
- *Saibro**
- decomposed red tufa
- *Massapes**
- clay resulting from the decomposition of dark tufa
- *Cascalho**
- stony soil
- *Porto Santo**
- (this is the other island in the Madeira archipeligo that Madeira can be produced on)*
- volcanic and limestone soils
==========
The soil in Madeira is of volcanic origin, consisting mainly of basalt, trachytes and trachydolerites, tufa, scoria (clinker) and conglomerates.
Over time, the volcanic rock disintegrates under the erosion of sun and rain and produces a variety of soils. In general terms, these soils are clayey, acid, rich in organic material, magnesium and iron, poor in potassium and adequate in phosphorus.
Basalt predominates at lower altitudes, and is the origin of more or less clayey dark or reddish-brown soils.
Trachytes are grey or dark-grey rocks found above 300 metres. Trachydolerites are lighter coloured and are found at very high altitudes.
Tufa is solidified volcanic mud and occurs in two forms: pedra mole, which is yellow, and cantaria de forno, which is red. They have a variable composition.
Scoria is solidified cellular lava, dark (sometimes purple) in colour, and porous in texture.
Conglomerates are formed from basalt and tufa detritus.
Allowed & Recommended Branco Madeira Grapes
Recommended Branco Casta:
- *Terrantez**
- once thought to be identical to Folgasão, but now known as a distinct grape. This highly regarded grape no longer has any significant plantings.
- *Malvasia Fina**
- 85% min of this grape must be used in Boal**
- *Malvasia Cândida**
- (aka: Malvasia di Lipari)*
- was the main grape for Malmsey production; only 4 ha still remain planted (Malvasia Branca de São Jorge is the main grape used now)**
- *Sercial**
- (aka Esgana Cao - the “dog strangler”)*
Verdelho
===============
Recommended Tinto Casta:
- *Bastardo**
- only a miniscule amount of this is planted here anymore.
- *Malvasia Cândida Roxa**
- (aka: Malvasia Roxa)*
- *Tinta**
- (aka: Tinta da Madeira)*
- *Tinta Negra**
- (aka Tinta Negra Molle)*
- most planted varietal on the island…?
Verdelho Tinto
===============
Also Authorized:
Tinto:
- Complexa, Deliciosa, Listrão, Triunfo
Branco:
- Caracol, Carão-de-Moça, Malvasia Branca de São Jorge, Moscatel Graúdo, Rio-Grande, Valveirinho
===============
** source = Jancis Robinson’s ‘Wine Grapes’
Allowed & Recommended Tinto Madeira Grapes
Recommended Tinto Casta:
- *Bastardo**
- only a miniscule amount of this is planted here anymore.
- *Malvasia Cândida Roxa**
- (aka: Malvasia Roxa)*
- *Tinta**
- (aka: Tinta da Madeira)*
- *Tinta Negra**
- (aka Tinta Negra Molle)*
- most planted varietal on the island…?
Verdelho Tinto
===============
Recommended Branco Casta:
- *Terrantez**
- once thought to be identical to Folgasão, but now known as a distinct grape. This highly regarded grape no longer has any significant plantings.
- *Malvasia Fina**
- 85% min of this grape must be used in Boal**
- *Malvasia Cândida**
- (aka: Malvasia di Lipari)*
- was the main grape for Malmsey production; only 4 ha still remain planted (Malvasia Branca de São Jorge is the main grape used now)**
- *Sercial**
- (aka Esgana Cao - the “dog strangler”)*
Verdelho
===============
Also Authorized:
Tinto:
- Complexa, Deliciosa, Listrão, Triunfo
Branco:
- Caracol, Carão-de-Moça, Malvasia Branca de São Jorge, Moscatel Graúdo, Rio-Grande, Valveirinho
===============
** source = Jancis Robinson’s ‘Wine Grapes’
What is the min percentage of grapes
for varietal to appear on the label in Madeira?
85% min if a vintage does not appear on the label.
100% if the wine is vintage dated.
What two “noble” grapes virtually disappeared from Madeira after the 1870 phloxerra outbreak?
Bastardo
Terrantez
These varieties don’t graft onto other rootstocks well so it was difficult to transfer the on to Phylloxera resistant rootstock…
What is
Saibro?
A decomposed red tufa soil of Madeira
What is
Cascalho?
A stony soil of Madeira
What is
Pedra Molle?
A sandy (arenaceous) soil, of decomposed yellow tufa of Madeira.
What is
Massapes?
A clay soil of Madeira.
It is the result of the decomposition of dark tufa.
What is Porto Santo?
This is the other island in the Madeira archipeligo that Madeira can be produced on.
- has mainly volcanic, and limestone soils
ALL Allowed & Recommended Madeira Grapes
Recommended Branco Casta:
- *Terrantez**
- once thought to be identical to Folgasão, but now known as a distinct grape. This highly regarded grape no longer has any significant plantings.
- *Malvasia Fina**
- 85% min of this grape must be used in Boal**
- *Malvasia Cândida**
- (aka: Malvasia di Lipari)*
- was the main grape for Malmsey production; only 4 ha still remain planted (Malvasia Branca de São Jorge is the main grape used now)**
- *Sercial**
- (aka Esgana Cao - the “dog strangler”)*
Verdelho
===============
Recommended Tinto Casta:
- *Bastardo**
- only a miniscule amount of this is planted here anymore.
- *Malvasia Cândida Roxa**
- (aka: Malvasia Roxa)*
- *Tinta**
- (aka: Tinta da Madeira)*
- *Tinta Negra**
- (aka Tinta Negra Molle)*
- most planted varietal on the island…?
Verdelho Tinto
===============
Also Authorized:
Tinto:
- Complexa, Deliciosa, Listrão, Triunfo
Branco:
- Caracol, Carão-de-Moça, Malvasia Branca de São Jorge, Moscatel Graúdo, Rio-Grande, Valveirinho
===============
** source = Jancis Robinson’s ‘Wine Grapes’
What is the ABV of the fortification spirit in Madeira?
95% ABV
Typically imported from France.
Describe the Canteiro process
Wines are placed in casks in the attics of Madeira Lodges. These attics are exposed to the sun –through windows– and naturally heated each day.
This process must take place over a minimum of 2 years.
Wines that have undergone Canteiro may not be bottled until a minimum of 3 years total aging after the fortification (including the 2 years exposed to the sun).
Canteiro is typically used for the best wines a Lodge will produce. Many are destined to become Frasqueiras.
What are Armazens de Calor?
Rooms used in a more delicate type of Estufagem process.
Barrels of Madeira are placed in these rooms which are slowly heated by nearby tanks or steam pipes. This process can take up to a year to “cook” the Madeira.
This process is most used by The Madeira Wine Company (Blandy’s, and Cossart-Gordon).
What are Poios?
The name for the terraces of Madeira
What are Levadas?
The system of canals on Madeira that help collect the rainwater from the upper high-altitude peaks.
