Terras Madeirenses

Question 1

How many DOPs you can found in here? And what are them?

Answer 1

2 DOPs:

1. Madeira DOP
2. Madeirense DOP

Question 2

What is Madeirense DOP?

Answer 2

BRANCO / TINTO / ROSADO
(non-fortified DOP)

branco: Arnsburger (Riesling crossing), Carão de Moça, Terrantez
tinto: Bastardo, Cab Sauv, Complexa, Deliciosa, Tinta Negra, Touriga Franca

Question 3

What is Madeira DOP?

Answer 3

LICOROSO

branco: Sercial, Boal, Verdelho, Terrantez, Malmsey
tinto: Tinta Negra, Bastardo, Malvasia

hand-harvested grapes only

Question 4

What are the grape varieties are made to Madeira DOP? (based on sweetness)

Answer 4

1. Sercial (dry)
2. Verdelho (off-dry)
3. Boal (medium sweet)
4. Malmsey (sweet)
5. Terrantez (rare, balanced)
6. Tinta Negra (most widely planted)

Question 5

What are the procedures of Madeira production?

Answer 5

1. Grapes are harvested manually, and fermentation begins (usually in stainless steel or concrete)
2. Fermentation is halted by adding aguardente (96% abv), killing yeasts and preserve sugar (timing of fortification resulting the sweetness of wines), final wine ends up 18-20% abv
3. Two primary methods of heating:
   a.) Canteiro Method (traditional, high-quality)
   b.) Estufagem Method (faster, commercial)
4. Then the wines are aged. After aging the Madeira is then filtered and bottled

Question 6

What is Canteiro Process?

Answer 6

process of making Madeira

used for premium Madeira and noble grape varieties

wines are aged in old casks in warm rooms or sun-exposed warehouses for at least 2 years

heat is natural, from ambient warmth

wines undergoes slow oxidation and concentration, developing deep complexity, nutty and caramelised notes

Question 7

What is Estufagem Process?

Answer 7

process of making Madeira

used for more affordable Madeira, especially from Tinta Negra

the wine is heated in stainless steel tanks with coils circulating warm water (45-50°c) for about 3 months

then the wine is rest for min 90 days and transferred to cask for 2 years aging

Question 8

What are the aging requirements for Madeira?

Answer 8

Rainwater = max age of 10 years (US style, 100% Tinta Negra Mole, med dry and light)

Vinho de Canteiro = 2 years in wood, min aging 3 years

Vinho de Estufagem = may be bottled after 12 months from conclusion of Estufagem process

Colheita = min 5 years (single vintage)

Frasqueira = min 20 years in wood

Solera = min 5 years in Solera, after which 10% may be draw off each year for a max of 10% additions

Age indication = is an indication of style, not the actual age or min age

Question 9

Where are vines of Madeira grown on?

Answer 9

A terrace called Poios and suspended on low trellises called Latadas

Question 10

What is IVBAM?

Answer 10

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

the regulatory body responsible for overseeing the quality and authenticity of Madeira wines. The producers are licensed to produced and export fortified Madeira wines

then the wines are sold either by a Partidistas (a person who stores and ages Madeira and then resells) or trader

Question 11

How many producers are registered in IVBAM? And who are them?

Answer 11

8 of them:

1. Blandy’s Madeira
2. Justino’s Madeira Wines
3. Henriques & Henriques
4. Barbeito (Vinhos Barbeito)
5. Pereira D’Oliveira (D’Oliveiras)
6. HM Borges
7. Madeira Vintners
8. J. Faria & Filhos