Madeira Styles

Question 1

STANDARD BLENDS - corrente

Answer 1

Most do not qualify for the age indications
* standard blends may be sold 2–3 years after harvest
* category: corrente by IVBAM
* generally from Tinta Negra using the estufagem maturation process.
* sometimes labelled with a brand name of the producer, such as Blandy’s Duke of Clarence, or simply one of the style descriptions, such as Henriques & Henriques’ Full Rich Madeira

Question 2

Age indications

Answer 2

• NV
• With Age Indication
  
  • 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 50+ years
  • Indicates style, not min/avg age
  • Verified by IVBAM tasting panel
  • Includes all batches in final blend
  • Label can show style or variety
  • Quality & price increase with age
• 5 Years Old
  • Mainly Tinta Negra
  • Estufagem process
  • Good/very good quality
  • Mid-priced
• 10 Years Old or More
  • Often white grapes
  • Some still use Tinta Negra (can be named)
  • Canteiro aging
  • Older = more complex, concentrated, higher acidity
• 20 Years Old or More
  • Outstanding quality
  • Premium/super-premium pricing

Question 3

RAINWATER

Answer 3

Rainwater

• light style (low alc, body, concentration)
• \~18% abv
• must be dry
• max age: 10yo
• usually inexpensive, low concentration
• name origin: diluted by rain in Savannah or Funchal → marketed as “new style” → popular in American colonies

Question 4

FRASQUEIRA (or Garrafeira) (meaning “vintage”)

Answer 4

often peak of range 🔝
single vintage, aged in wood for min 20y 2️⃣0️⃣
single recommended grape variety, appears on label with harvest year and bottling year
quality assessed by IVBAM tasting
super-premium prices 💸💸💸💸
style: depend on variety, notable for concentration, complexity, tertiary flavours, sweetness balanced by acidity

Question 5

COLHEITA

Answer 5

single vintage
aged in wood min 5y 5️⃣
single variety or blend (vs single for Frasq.)
varieties don’t need to be on label (vs has to appear for Frasq.) but harvest year + bottling year must (like in Frasq)
quality assessed by IVBAM tasting
rel. new - since 2000
popular due to shorter requirement than Frasqueira - now all producers make them