Where to start with Madeira

[Melanie R.]

I have never tried Madeira before but would like to. I had planned to attend a Madeira tasting at a local wine shop a few weeks ago, but it was canceled. Supposedly it was to be rescheduled, but I have heard nothing more about it. I decided I don't want to wait around for them, and I'd like to try some Madeira on my own. When it comes to Ports I lean more toward the tawny end, but I really love Port in general. With this in mind, is there a brand/type of Madeira that would be good for me to start with?

[Moses Botbol]

The Rare Wine Company "Historic Series" is a worth starting off with. Most styles are represented and solid at that. A Malmsey for sweet and Sercial for drier would be a good contrast. For me, I have not tried a style I did not like. Verdelho, Bual, Terrantez, Malmsey... thank you very much on any of them.

The best value Madeira for me is the Broadbent 10 Year, which is Malmsey. I like Madeira more than port, but my finances prefer port

[Melanie R.]

Thanks for the recommend. I looked at their site, and the label looks familiar--not sure where I've seen it before. Based on those prices, it looks like my finances probably prefer Port as well. It will be a few weeks before I can buy wine of any kind, as all my funds went into my Quevedo order.

[Glenn E.]

I looked at their site, and the label looks familiar--not sure where I've seen it before.

I have a Rare Wine Company New York Malmsey sitting on my wine fridge, and I'm pretty sure I got it out at one of the tastings here. So you might have seen it then.

[Gary Banker]

Blandy's Alvada is a combination of bual and malmsey and is a good introduction to the sweeter syles. It's sold in 500 ml bottles for under $20.

Barbeito VB is a good introduction to drier madeira, but is harder to find and more expensive than Alvada.

[Roy Hersh]

I agree with Moses' suggestion re: the 10 year old Broadbent Malmsey as a fantastic introductory Madeira bottling. It is available near the Pike Place Market at The Spanish Table, if you are looking for it locally.

If you remind me, this fall I'd be happy to do a Madeira tasting here in the Seattle area!

[Melanie R.]

Thanks, Roy. I got an email from the wine shop saying that the Madeira tasting has been rescheduled for July 21, so I plan to attend that one. I will remind you later about doing your own tasting as well.

I saw a bottle of the Historic Series here locally for $40-some dollars. I think I will save those until later, when I've had a chance to try some different Madeiras and see what I like.

[Roy Hersh]

Melanie,

I took a friend of mine to see the selection of Port & Madeira (the best selection in Washington State!) at The Spanish Table on Western, behind the market. It is worth checking out. Not many bargains but there are several worthy buys there.

[Moses Botbol]

I saw a bottle of the Historic Series here locally for $40-some dollars. I think I will save those until later, when I've had a chance to try some different Madeiras and see what I like.

$45ish for RWC Historic Series is a solid price.

[Melanie R.]

Good to know. The wine shop finally rescheduled its Madeira tasting and I was able to attend. I'll write more about it in another post when I get more time. Bottom line, however, is that I think I generally prefer Port to Madeira. (The Madeira I liked best reminded me very much of a tawny).

[Eric Ifune]

I like to say that Tawny Ports remind me of Madeira!