Apart from the most current grape variety, Tinta Negra Mole, which is mainly used for cooking, there are various types of wines, which are named after the main grape variety used for the blend.
Harvesting time generally starts in August. Once trodden and crushed, the must is transported to Funchal, the main city on the island, where are located most of the merchants' cellars.
After fermentation, once the must is transformed into vinho claro, the wine-making process depends on the grape variety used and on the type of wine which is going to be made.
Dry wines are first heated for 3 to 6 months in rooms where temperature reaches about 45° Celcius and then, they are fortified (a type of brandy is added to the wine). There are two different types of dry Madeira wines:
- Sercial (same origin as Riesling) wine is dry and quite light. It is served cold as an aperitif with olives or walnuts.
- Verdelho is a medium-dry wine with a very fresh and fruity bouquet. It is drunk as an aperitif or with starters, especially soups.
To make sweet wines, the process is simply reversed : the wine is fortified first and then heated.Two different wines are made in such a way :- Bual or Boal is a medium-sweet, perfectly balanced, soft and elegant wine. It goes very well with cheese and desert.
- Malmsey wine is sweet, with a very rich bouquet and long after-taste. It is the first grape variety which was planted on the island.
It is usually served with desert, fruit, coffee, chocolate or as an after-meal drink. This very powerful wine has a strong bouquet which will soften during the ageing process. Therefore, it is advised to keep your bottle a few years.
After 18 months, the wine is blended to other vintages and then rests for a while for all the vintages to provide an harmonious wine.
The age of the bottle is specified on the label. It can be 5, 10 or 15 years old. Sometimes (when the main grape variety accounts for less than 85 % of the content) the age is specified as follows: "Reserva" for 5, "Reserva Especial" for 10 and "Extra" for 15 years old.
As for "Extra Vintage", it is a special Madeira wine which ages 20 years in barrels and 2 years in bottle before being put on the market.
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