49. Madeira Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in 49. Madeira Deck (20)
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1
Q

How is the grape variety Sercial used?

A

It is one of the four noble grapes of Madeira. It is used to produce dry crisp wines with mineral tones and subtle fruit and nut flavors.

2
Q

How is the grape variety Verdelho used?

A

It is one of the four noble grapes of Madeira. It is used to produce aromatic medium dry wines with marked acidity and hints of caramel.

3
Q

How is the grape variety Boal used?

A

It is one of the four noble grapes of Madeira. It is used to produce medium sweet wines showing nutty, vanilla characteristics with raisiny fruit.

4
Q

How is the grape variety Malvasia used?

A

It is one of the four noble grapes of Madeira. It is used to produce the sweetest wines with rich honey, raisin and caramel flavors.

5
Q

How is the grape variety Tinta Negra used?

A

It is one of the four noble grapes of Madeira. It is used to produce wines of varying sweetness (unlike the noble grapes which are vinified in a particular style.)

6
Q

What is the difference between Verdejo and Verdelo grape varieties?

A

Verdelo is the most planted of the noble grapes of Madiera. It is unrelated to Verdejo, one of the main grapes in Rueda.

7
Q

What are the characteristics of Finest Madeira style?

A

3 year old estufa aged Tinta Negra labelled according to the level of sweetness, Dry through Rich

8
Q

What are the characteristics of Reserve Madeira style?

A

5 year old aged wine, usually Tinta Negra but can be made from a white noble variety

9
Q

What are the largest markets for Madiera wine?

A

Japan and EU

10
Q

What was the role of Madiera wine in pre-revolutionary USA?

A

Perhaps the biggest imported wine at the time, in part because of ancient treaties between Portugal and England.

11
Q

Name the four noble grape varieties of Madiera.

A

Sercial, Boal, Malvasia, Verdelho

12
Q

Name the most common v. vinifera grape variety in Madiera.

A

Tinta Negra

13
Q

What is the local name for Malvasia in Madiera?

A

Malmsey (English corruption)

14
Q

What was the original basis of vinification for wines from Madiera?

A

Barrel ageing on long, hot sea voyages was the original approach which maximized the effect of heat and oxygen.

15
Q

What are the modern techniques for vinification of wines from Madiera?

A

canteiros and estufa

16
Q

Explain the canteiros technique for making Madeiran wine.

A

Wines are left in cask on racks called cantteiros in the lofts of the merchants’ lodges where they are heated by the sun; used for best wines; aged for 3 years

17
Q

Explain the estufa technique for making Madeiran wine.

A

Wines are heated to 45-50 d C for a minimum of 3 months in stainless steel containers, further maturation occurs at cooler temperatures; used for lower quality Madeiran wine; aged for 2 years.

18
Q

What is rainwater designation for Madeiran wine?

A

a medium dry style within the Three Year Old category

19
Q

What is Frasqueira designation for Madeiran wine?

A

there are vintage-dated wines, varietally labeled, based on noble varieties, aged for at least 20 years (but can be 100 years old)

20
Q

What is Colheita designation for Madeiran wine?

A

a vintage-dated Madeira that are aged in cask for at least 5 years