1953 The U K B G Guide to Drinks

MADEIRA

This fine dessert wine comes from the Portuguese island of that name lying in the Atlantic Ocean. The island was discovered in 1419 by some Portuguese navigators, and at one time was occupied by a British colony who evidently laid down the foundation for the exporting of the Madeira wine to this country after it was handed back to the Portuguese. The wine is chiefly known under the name of the grapes from which the wine is made. All are white grapes, but these names are by no means to indicate that they are actually from those grapes. The main types are : Sercial.—Dry to Very Dry, Light or Dark. Verdelho.—Medium Sweet. Bual.—Medium Rich and Luscious, best known in this country. Malmsey.—Sweet and Rich, sometimes known as Malvasia or Malvoisie. The safest guarantee of the wine is the Shipper's name on the bottle. The vines are trained overhead, enabling the plants to be picked from underneath. The juice when obtained is transported as quickly as possible to Funchal the capital of the island and centre of manufacture. This wine is then fermented and is then known as"Vinho Claro"or "New Wine ". This wine is then treated by heat in hot chambers called"Estufas"mainly to reduce the water content, and the resultant wine is called"Vinho Estufado ". This heated wine is then racked and given a long rest after which it is known as"Vinho Transfugado ". A 10% addition of spirit made from a local grown sugar cane converts this to a new wine called"Vinho Generoso ".

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