Madeira
Founded in 2012, Madeira Vintners was the first Madeira wine company to be established in 80 years. As a "new player on the market," the company, a subsidiary of Co-operativa Agrícola do Funchal ('CAF'), focuses on high-quality 3-year-old and 5-year-old Madeira wines, as well as single harvest Colheitas.
The company's team, composed solely of women – viticulturists and winemakers – works directly with selected growers; a strict selection process ensures that only healthy, top-quality grapes are chosen. Made in a lighter, fresher style with lovely fruit clarity, Madeira Vintners' Madeira wines are consciously produced with a lower alcohol content (17%).
The unique character of Madeira wine reflects the island's distinctive climate and terroir. Madeira Island, located in the northern Atlantic Ocean, enjoys a subtropical climate with stable temperatures year-round and abundant rainfall. The volcanic soil contributes to the wine's minerality and complexity, while the steep terrain and terraced vineyards create a unique microclimate for grape cultivation.
The noble grapes used in Madeira wine include Sercial, Verdelho, Bual, Malmsey (Malvasia), and Terrantez. These grapes thrive in the sunny climate and volcanic soil, producing wines with varying flavor profiles and styles.
The production process for Madeira wine is a blend of tradition and innovation. After harvest, the grape juice ferments, and fermentation is then halted by adding grape spirits, giving the wine its characteristic alcohol strength and sweetness. Afterward, the wine is aged in wooden casks for many years, where it matures and develops complex aromas and flavor notes.
Madeira wine is known for its remarkable longevity and ability to age for decades or even centuries. Its high acidity and alcohol content provide exceptional resistance to oxidation, meaning it can be enjoyed for weeks or months after opening.
In addition to its wine production, Madeira is also famous for its scenic beauty and rich cultural heritage. The island attracts visitors with its impressive mountains, lush valleys, and dramatic cliffs. The capital, Funchal, offers colorful markets, historical monuments, and a vibrant atmosphere.
Madeira wine differs from port wine in several ways, though both are prized Portuguese fortified wines. While port wine is typically made in the Douro Valley in northern Portugal and is known for its sweetness and fruity character, Madeira wine comes from the island of Madeira and has a more complex flavor profile and longer shelf life.
A key difference lies in the production process: Madeira wine undergoes a unique heating process, either through estufagem (heating in tanks) or canteiro (aging in wooden casks in heated buildings), which contributes to its distinctive taste and longevity. On the other hand, port wine is typically aged in wooden casks in the vineyards.
In terms of flavor, Madeira wine is generally more acidic and offers a wider range of flavor notes, from dried fruit and nuts to spices and caramel. Port wine tends to be more concentrated in its sweetness, with notes of berries and chocolate.
