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MADEIRA
Madeira is a volcanic island in the middle of the Atlantic, a wine, and a miracle. Fine Madeira is the world's longest -
living wine. Its high alcohol, natural acidity, and the fact that it has been virtually boiled during the production process
mean that it is practically indestructible. Whether in a wooden cask, a glass carboy maturing under the rafters of a lodge
in Funchal, or in a bottle at home, however long
ago it was opened, it retains its original
character.
Sweeter Madeira is made very much like port in
that it is fortified halfway through fermentation
while drier styles are, like Sherry, fermented
fully to dryness before grape spirit is added.
However, Madeira's real distinction is that the
young wine is subjected to extreme heat, either
artificially in a heated vessel or more naturally
and slowly in hot lofts, which is how it gets its
deep caramel color. Quality Madeira is labeled by
the noble grape varietal used and tends to cost more
than mass-produced Madeira due to the shortage of
Sercial, Verdelho, Bual and Malmsey grapes. Most
Madeira, therefore, uses the Tinta Negra Mole grape.
Blandy’s
Blandy’s premiumport.com Founded by John Blandy in
Blandy’s Bual 5 Year Old $251.90 91 WS 1811, a family owned business
Blandy’s Bual 10 Year Old 500ml $275.90 91 WS with over 200 years of experience
in producing the finest quality
Blandy’s Malmsey 5 Year Old $251.90 92 WS Madeira wines, and remains
Blandy’s Malmsey 10 Year Old 500ml $275.90 90 WS totally dedicated to the
preservation of the Madeira wine
Blandy’s Malmsey 15 Year Old 500ml $419.90 93 WS production traditions whilst
Blandy’s Rainwater $179.90 maintaining the highest quality
standards. All Blandy's wines are
Blandy’s Sercial 5 Year Old $251.90 90 WS created using the most modern
Blandy’s Sercial 10 Year Old 500ml (6pk) $299.90 92 WE wine making technology while
also respecting the age-old
Blandy’s Verdelho 5 Year Old $251.90 90 WS traditions of Madeira
Blandy’s Verdelho 10 Year Old 500ml (6pk) $275.90 90 WA, 90 WS wine. Premium wines continue to
be aged using the traditional
‘canteiro’ system, whereby the
oak casks are placed high up in
the hot, dry lofts of the lodge and
left for years to develop their
characteristic flavour and
complexity.
D’Oliveira
D’Oliveira Vintage Madeira rarewineco.com Housed in cellars that date from
1619, this small jewel of a
D’Oliveira Bual 1984 750ml (1pk) $124.00 company has always been owned
D’Oliveira Malvasia 1994 750ml (1pk) $92.00 by the D’Oliveira family, its
D’Oliveira Sercial 1969 750ml (1pk) $202.00 vineyard holdings built up over
time through a series of
D’Oliveira Verdelho 1973 750ml (1pk) $194.00 marriages with other wine-
(Additional vintages, dating back as far as 1875, can be special-ordered, depending on producing families.
availability - please inquire with your Grand Vin representative for a list of current offerings.) What is really extraordinary is
that D’Oliveira has held on to
many of its most famous vintages,
creating a unique, and
irreplaceable, stock of old wines.
And remarkably they are all
D’Oliveira wines, not purchased
from other shippers or growers.
Rare Wine Co. Historic Series
As America’s leading merchant of
Rare Wine Co. Historic Series rarewineco.com rare, old Madeiras, The Rare
RWC Rainwater Baltimore 750ml $479.90 91 WS Wine Co. has been a major force
behind Madeira’s recent revival
RWC Bual Boston 750ml $515.90 93 WS, 93 WE in the marketplace - To emphasize
RWC Sercial Charleston 750ml $515.90 93 WE America’s deep historical
connection to Madeira, each wine
RWC Malmsey New York 750ml $515.90 93 WE in the series is named for a U.S.
RWC Verdelho Savannah 750ml $515.90 92 WS city where Madeira was popular
in the 18th and 19th centuries.
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