Madeira

Madeira

Overview

Madeira, the largest of the Enchanted Isles, was populated by three deputies of Henry the Navigator in 1420. Whether chosen by Falstaff to accompany his Capon's Leg, or toasting the American Declaration of Independence in 1776, no wine has entwined itself with the world's last 500 years of history like Madeira.

Exposure to extreme temperature and oxygen accounts for its stability; an opened bottle of Madeira will survive unharmed for a considerable time, up to a year. Properly sealed in bottles, Madeira is one of the longest lasting wines; Madeiras have been known to survive over 150 years in excellent condition. It is not uncommon to see Madeiras pushing the century mark for sale at stores that specialize in rare wine.

Before the advent of artificial refrigeration, Madeira wine was particularly prized in areas where it was impractical to construct wine cellars because unlike many other fine wines it could survive being stored over hot summers without significant damage.

Producer List

Raymond Reynolds Ltd supplies wines from the following producers in the Madeira region:

Barbeito