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WSET® Level 4 Wine > WSET® Level 4 D5 Fortified Wines > Madeira > Flashcards

Madeira Flashcards

Learn why Madeira tastes the way it does by examining the growing environment, soils, climate, grape varieties, production, and maturation. Key styles of Madeira are covered in this deck.

1
Q

When did exports of Madeira start to take off and why?

A
  • 17th and 18th centuries;
  • British merchants arrived in Madeira + sent the wine to their colonies in North America and the West Indies.
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2
Q

Instituto do Vinho da Madeira was founded in 1979 and is now known as _____.

A

IVBAM (Instituto do Vinho, do Bordado e do Artesanato da Madeira, IP-RAM)

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3
Q

Madeira experiences ____ summers and ____ winters.

A

Warm summers, mild winters

Lack of winter dormancy can be a problem in the warmest sites.

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4
Q

The north and center of the island of Madeira are considerably _____ and _____ than the southern part of the island.

A

Cooler and wetter

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5
Q

How many hectares of vineyards are planted on the island of Madeira?

Where are most vineyards located?

A

Only ~450ha

Vineyards tend to be located relatively near the coast with forests covering the mountainous center of the island.

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6
Q

Soils of Madeira

  1. What are the soils here?
  2. Are they high or low in nutrients?
  3. What does the soil type + nutrient level mean for the vines?
A
  1. Volcanic;
  2. High in nutrients;
  3. These factors plus all the rain they get = vigorous vines.
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7
Q

Tinta Negra is now a ‘recommended’ grape variety in Madeira next to which other five grapes?

A
  1. Sercial;
  2. Verdelho;
  3. Boal;
  4. Malvasia;
  5. Terrantez.
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8
Q

What is the most planted grape variety on the island of Madeira and why?

A

Tinta Negra – easy to grow, high yields

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9
Q

What style of wine is Tinta Negra used to make?

  • Wines at all sweetness levels
  • Dry wines only
  • Luscious wines only
A

Wines at all sweetness levels

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10
Q

Sercial makes wines that are:

  • Dry or sweet?
  • Low acid or high acid?
A

Dry with high acid

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11
Q

Sercial is an early or late ripener?

A

Late ripener, usually one of the last to be picked

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12
Q

Sercial is resistant to which mildew but susceptible to what?

A
  • Resistant to powdery mildew;
  • Susceptible to botrytis bunch rot.
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13
Q

Is Verdelho the most planted, second most planted, or least planted vinifera grape variety on Madeira?

What is it susceptible to?

A
  • Second most;
  • Susceptible to botrytis bunch rot, coulure, and both downy and powdery mildews.
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14
Q

Which Boal variety grows on Madeira?

What is its synonym in White Port production?

A
  • Boal Cachudo;
  • aka Malvasia Fina in White Port production.
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15
Q

What style of wine is Boal generally made in?

What is it susceptible to?

A
  • Medium-sweet;
  • Drought.

Note that on p.49 of the D4 materials Boal is also referred to as semi-sweet

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16
Q

Which sub-variety of Malvasia is the most commonly grown on the island of Madeira?

Does it produce low or high yields?

What is it susceptible to?

A
  • Malvasia de São Jorge;
  • Produces relatively high yields;
  • Botrytis bunch rot.
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17
Q

Terrantez

  1. What is it susceptible to?
  2. At what potential alcohol is it picked?
A
  1. Powdery mildew, botrytis;
  2. 9% potential alcohol.
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18
Q

Most grapes are planted on a pergola system on Madeira, called _____.

What are the benefits of this system?

A

Latadas

Helps with air circulation, decreasing fungal disease in this humid, warm climate.

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19
Q

Besides latadas, how else are vines in Madeira trained?

What are they called here?

A

Cordon trained + VSP trellised, called Espaldeira

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20
Q

In Madeira’s warm, humid climate, what are three common fungal diseases?

A
  1. Botrytis bunch rot;
  2. Downy + powdery mildew;
  3. Phomopsis.

Fungicide sprays are typically needed in Madeira

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21
Q

Select the correct answer:

Irrigation in Madeira is:

  • Forbidden
  • Widely practiced
  • Only a few producers use irrigation
A

Widely practiced

Irrigation is necessary for the southern part of the island.

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22
Q

What is the name of the small irrigation channels that carry rainwater from the center of Madeira to vineyards?

A

Levadas

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23
Q

Who decides when to start harvest in Maderia?

When does harvest typically start?

A

The IVBAM after they’ve consulted with producers and growers.

Usually starts end of August/early September

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24
Q

Due to Madeira’s terrain, harvest is usually done by ____.

A

Hand

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25
Q

The minimum potential alcohol for all grape varieties at harvest in Madeira is ___% but they’re picked with no more than ___%.

A

minimum 9%, no more than 11%

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26
Q

The maximum permitted yield in Madeira is ____ hL/ha.

A

150 hL/ha

The maximum permitted yield varies according to the vintage conditions, but high yields of 150 hL/ha (the maximum) are not unusual.

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27
Q

What are IVBAM representatives checking at wineries when the grapes come in after being picked?

A

They check the health, weight, and potential alcohol of the grapes.

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28
Q

Once grapes hit the winery in Madeira, the grapes are _____ and _____.

A

Destemmed and crushed

29
Q

What vessels do Madeira producers typically use for primary fermentation?

Do they typically use ambient or cultured yeasts?

A
  • Stainless steel;
  • Ambient yeasts.
30
Q

The spirit used to fortify Madeira is ____% ABV, compared to ____% ABV in Port.

A

Madeira – 96% ABV spirit

Port – 77% ABV spirit

The quality of the fortification spirit in Madeira must be checked by the IVBAM

31
Q

Madeira wines are typically fortified to what alcohol percent?

A

17-18% ABV

32
Q

After fortification but before maturation, Madeira wines are _____, _____, _____ then _____.

A
  • Fined;
  • Filtered;
  • Tasted;
  • Classified, determining their maturation path.
33
Q

What are the two maturation options for Madeira wines?

A
  1. Estufagem;
  2. Canteiro.
34
Q

What are estufas?

Who must be present at the time maturation begins?

A

Stainless steel vessels in Madeira that heat up to 45-50 C (113-122 F) using either a heating coil or a water jacket;

IVBAM representatives are there when the maturation starts, sealing the vessel and then unsealing it when the maturation time is up.

35
Q

How long do wines stay in estufas?

A

At least 3 months

36
Q

Are estufagem in Madeira filled all the way to the top or do the winemakers leave some headspace?

Why?

A

Leave headspace so that there is a little oxidation.

37
Q

Once the estufagem are unsealed by an IVBAM representative after the wine has had 3 months of maturation, what happens to the wine?

A
  1. Cooled;
  2. Filtered;
  3. Rests for 6-12 months.
38
Q

When can Madeiras made by estufagem start being sold?

A

Oct 31, the second year following harvest

39
Q

Which grape is typically used for the estufagem process and what is it sold as?

A
  • Tinta Negra;
  • Sold as a 3- to-5-year-old wine.
40
Q

Higher quality Madeira wines will use the canteiro process.

How big are the vessels, and in what environment does this process take place?

A

400-700L sized old oak vessels in naturally warm environments heated by the sun (lofts or warehouses at 25-40C/77-104F)

41
Q

In the canteiro process, do winemakers top up barrels all the way or do they leave some headspace?

Why?

A

Leave a little headspace to allow for some oxidation

42
Q

At the beginning of the canteiro maturation process, young Madeira wines are stored in the coolest or hottest areas of the warehouse or loft?

A

Hottest, then they’re moved to cooler areas as the maturation process progresses

43
Q

What happens to the Madeira wine in the barrels in the hot, humid conditions of the maturation warehouses?

A
  1. Evaporation which increases the alcohol to 19-20%;
  2. Concentration of sugars (which also caramelize), acid, and aroma compounds;
  3. Volatile acidity increases;
  4. Gradually turn brown;
  5. Speeds up oxidation;
  6. Tertiary aromas develop (dried fruit).
44
Q

When can canteiro Madeira start being sold?

A

January 1st, three years after harvest

IVBAM reps must be there in the canteiro process to seal and unseal the vessels

45
Q

One way Madeira producers can help offset their costs for long-term aging is to _____.

A

Apply to the IVBAM for an EU subsidy if they agree to age the wine (and seal it) for five years.

46
Q

Most Madeira is vintage or non-vintage?

A

Non-vintage, so it’s blended for consistency and complexity

47
Q

What additives can be used in Madeira wines and what are they used for?

A
  • Caramel for coloring;
  • RCGM for sweetening.
48
Q

What are the sweetness levels in Madeira?

A
  • Extra Dry;
  • Dry;
  • Medium Dry;
  • Medium Sweet (or Medium Rich);
  • Sweet (or Rich).
49
Q

At what sweetness level is Sercial typically classified?

Give a brief profile of Sercial Madeira.

A

Extra Dry or Dry

Lightest color and body of all Madeiras with citrus peel and nutty notes.

50
Q

At what sweetness level is Verdelho typically classified?

Give a brief profile of Verdelho Madeira.

A

Medium Dry

  • Slightly sweet with candied fruits;
  • Slightly darker than Sercial;
  • More body and rounder texture than Sercial.
51
Q

At what sweetness level is Boal typically classified?

Give a brief profile of Boal Madeira.

A

Medium Sweet

Darker in color than Sercial and Verdelho, fuller and sweeter, with caramel, chocolate and candied nuts.

52
Q

At what sweetness level is Malmsey typically classified?

Give a brief profile of Malmsey Madeira.

A

Sweet

Full bodied, brown, sweetest style but high acidity, with raisins and caramel.

53
Q

At what sweetness level is Terrantez typically classified?

Give a brief profile of Terrantez Madeira.

A

Medium Dry or Medium Sweet

Citrus peel, caramel, floral notes

54
Q

As of 2015, all Madeiras must be labeled with a _____.

A

Bottling date

55
Q

What do Madeiras with Age Indication indicate: the age of the wine in the bottle or a style?

A

A style

These wines must pass an IVBAM tasting panel and all wines used in the blend must be submitted to the IVBAM

56
Q

Do Madeiras with Age Indication have to be made using estufas, canteiro, or can they be made using either?

A

Either – cheaper ones will be Tinta Negra raised in estufagem, more expensive ones will be the noble grapes raised in canteiro

57
Q

What is the “corrente” category in Madeira?

A

Wines that do not qualify for the Age Indications.

They’re usually sold 2-3 years after harvest with names like Henriques & Henriques Full Rich Madeira.

58
Q

Rainwater Madeira

  1. What is its sweetness level?
  2. What is its ABV and style?
  3. What is its aging maximum?
A
  1. Medium dry;
  2. ~18% ABV that is light-styled, lower in body and concentration than other Madeiras;
  3. Aged a maximum of 10 years.
59
Q

What is the term in Madeira used for wines that have been aged in wood for a minimum of 20 years?

A

Frasqueira (also seen as Garrafeira)

These wines are usually the flagship wines of a house

60
Q

Which is correct?

The term Frasquiera on a bottle of Madeira means:

  • It was made using only one prescribed grape
  • It was made using several grapes
A

It was made using only one prescribed grape

61
Q

Frasqueira

  1. What three things must appear on the label?
  2. Who assesses the quality?
  3. Briefly describe the expected style of Frasqueira.
A
  1. Prescribed grape varietal, year of harvest, year of bottling;
  2. Assessed by the IVBAM;
  3. Complex, concentrated, high acid wines balanced by sweetness and tertiary flavors.
62
Q

Colheita Madeira

  1. What is its minimum aging requirement?
  2. What must be stated on a Colheita Madeira label?
  3. Does they have to be a single grape or can it be several grapes?
  4. In what year was it first released to market?
A
  1. 5 years aged in wood;
  2. Harvest and bottling date must be on bottle;
  3. Can be single OR several grapes;
  4. First appeared in 2000.
63
Q

Madeira’s vineyard land is fragmented. How many growers are there and what is the average holding size?

A

~1000 growers each holding about .3ha

64
Q

Select the correct answer:

Madeira’s winemaking and maturation portion of the industry is:

  • Consolidated with only 8 producers
  • Vast with over 1000 producers
A

Consolidated with only 8 producers

65
Q

Name the three largest Madeira companies.

A
  1. Justino’s;
  2. Madeira Wine Company;
  3. Henriques & Henriques.
66
Q

Only ___ of the 8 Madeira producers actually own or rent vineyards.

Which ones are they?

A

Only 2 – Madeira Wine Company and Henriques & Henriques

Producers typically buy grapes from hundreds of grape growers

67
Q

In what year was the IVBAM founded and what are they responsible for?

A

2006

Coordinating and supporting the wine and embroidery industries on Madeira

  • Monitor Madeira stocks, quality control;
  • Being in the winery for grape reception;
  • Sealing and unsealing vessels;
  • Laboratory and tasting panels check wines labeled with age indication or vintage year;
  • Visit growers to give advice as needed.
68
Q

The largest market (domestic or export) for Madeira is _____.

A

France - especially for inexpensive Madeiras

WSET® Level 4 D5 Fortified Wines (8 decks)

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