Madeira – the wine of the Founding Fathers
Thomas Jefferson, a big proponent and consumer of wine, toasted the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 with Madeira. Following George Washington’s inauguration on April 30, 1789, Madeira was served.
The deal for the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 was celebrated with champagne in honor of the French part of the deal, Málaga for the Spanish part of the deal, and with Madeira as it was America’s adopted wine.
Madeira is a fortified wine from the island of Madeira, which is off the coast of Northern Africa, and is part of the country of Portugal. Madeira wine initially developed its distinctive characteristic flavor as the wine was being transported in the high temperatures aboard the hulls of ships making the long journey to the New World or the East Indies. The characteristic flavors developed during those voyages are replicated by heating the wine during the production process.
Most Madeira wine is produced by using the estufagem method which involves heating wine in stainless steel tanks with external circulating hot water for a minimum of 90 days at temperatures over 130 degrees Fahrenheit. The wine is then fortified by adding plain spirits to the wine and then moved to casks. Madeira DOC (Denominação de Origem Controlada) requires Madeira produced in this way be aged two years before it can be bottled and sold.
The best Madeira wine is produced using the canteiro method, which involves putting the wine into wooden casks after fortification, then storing it in the attic of the building along south-facing windows, or, sometimes, storing it outside in the sunshine. This ageing process is much slower, so it prevents the burnt sugar and bitter flavors that speedy heating may produce. Wines produced via the canteiro method can be bottled after three years.
The main styles of Madeira wine are: Sercial (driest), Verdelho (medium dry), Bual/Boal (medium sweet), and Malmsey (sweetest). The wines often exhibit aromas and flavors of dried fruit, raisins, honey, almonds, coffee, toffee, and caramel. Other Madeira wines are based on ageing: Rainwater (lighter, aged three years), Seleccionado (aged between three and five years), Reserva (aged between five and 10 years), Special Reserva (aged between 10-15 years), Extra Reserva (aged between 15-20 years), Colheita (from a specific harvest aged at least five years) and Frasqueira/Garrafeira (aged at least 20 years).
Grab a bottle of Madeira and raise a toast to our Founding Fathers.
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