Madeira is a Portuguese-owned archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, 600 miles (970km) southwest of Lisbon and 450 miles due west of the North African coast. It gives its name to one of the world's great fortified wines. Both the wine and the island hold unique places in the history of wine. All fortified wine from the island is now produced under the Madeira DOC, while the table wines are sold under the VR (Vinho Regional) title Terras Madeirenses.
The island of Madeira was discovered in 1419, by Portuguese mariners exploring the west coast of Africa (they also visited the Canary Islands). They encountered Dense laurisilva forests – the reason for the name Ilha da Madeira "the island of wood" – much of which were cleared to make way for sugar plantations and vineyards (the remaining forests are now a World Heritage Site).
For almost two centuries, the wines made here remained relatively unknown, and were of little economic significance. Things changed dramatically in the mid-17th Century however, when the island became a key supply station for ships en route to India and the Portuguese colonies in Brazil.
During this time demand for Madeira's wines boomed.
The early Madeira wines were produced in the image of those from the Portuguese mainland, and lacked the Structure and stability required to survive Long sea voyages. Over time, it was discovered that an addition of high-proof spirit solved this problem, and by the middle of the 18th Century such fortification had become the norm. A second discovery – that this New style of fortified Madeira acquired Complex, desirable flavors on long, hot voyages – led to the Madeira wine style that exists today.
The white Verdelho is a grape variety that originated in Portugal. It produces a variety of grape specially used for the elaboration of wine. It is rare to find this grape to eat on our tables. This variety of grape is characterized by small bunches, and grapes of medium size. The white Verdelho can be found cultivated in these vineyards: Languedoc & Roussillon, Rhone Valley, South West.
wines from the region of Terras Madeirenses go well with generally quite well with dishes of sweet desserts, appetizers and snacks or beef such as recipes of king's cake with frangipane, assortments of mini savoury tarts or beef pot-au-feu.
On the nose in the region of Terras Madeirenses often reveals types of flavors of peach, brown sugar or orange peel and sometimes also flavors of black fruit, dried fruit or dried fruit. In the mouth in the region of Terras Madeirenses is a powerful with a good balance between acidity and sweetness.
The De Marchi family established the 56ha estate back in 1956, and it is now firmly established as one of the region’s leading producers. Isole e Olena played a key role in reviving the quality of Chianti in the 1970s, and its flagship wine – Cepparello, a barrique-aged Sangiovese from old vines – is regarded as one of the original Super Tuscans. A Piedmont lawyer called Francesco De Marchi founded the business, but his visionary son – Paulo De Marchi – has driven its rise to prominence. He is r ...
It’s no easy task to establish a super-premium wine in an entirely new region, particularly when inviting potential retail partners or distributors to the vineyard involves journeying to a distant corner of the Himalayas in the outer reaches of the Yunnan province, southwestern China. For my journey, after four flights from Bordeaux to Shanghai, Chengdu then Shangri-La, it was a four-hour drive up through stunning mountain passes to the foothills (here, that means 2,200m above sea level) of the ...
Decanter held its first US event a few days ago – a Fine Wine Encounter featuring some 50 highly prestigious names who brought their most iconic bottles, four expert masterclasses and a chance to sample a selection of DWWA award-winning wines. The venue was Manhatta, a restaurant and events space in New York’s Financial District, which has the advantage of being on the 60th floor, affording jaw-dropping views across the city and the rivers, with a birds-eye view of the Statue of Liberty and a ra ...
