Madeira Bottle Identification

[David O]

I have a customer that has two bottles of Madeira. I have not inspected the bottles but was hoping that folks here could help me to identify them from the information provided. The bottles are apparently very old with the tissue paper that is disintegrating.

The first one says:
Established 1811
Blandy's Special "S" Very Dry Madiera
Portugal
Gold Medal San Francisco Exhibition 1915 (award)
Net Contents 1 pint 9 fluid ounces
Alcoholic Strength: 19% by volume
Blandy's Madieras, LDA

The second one:
Rutherford & Miles, LDA
Madiera
Grand Prix Bordeaux 1907 (award)
Established 1814
Suppliers to the English Court
Old Trinity House
Bual
Alcoholic Strength: 19% by volume
Produce of Madiera
Net Contents 1 pint 9 fluid ounces

Any feedback on these bottles would be much appreciated.

[Peter Reutter]

sorry, both wines are just ordinary blends, nothing special and low value.
best
Peter

[David O]

Thanks Peter. Value aside, can you help me to interpret the information that was provided about these bottles? Cheers.

[Peter Reutter]

First wine is a dry blend in the Sercial-style, that is what the S is for, probably made from Tinta Negra Mole.
The second wine is a well-known three-year old blend from Boal and TNM as well.
Both companies today belong to the Madeira Wine Company, located in Funchal. Trinity house is still sold in the U.K.. If you post some pictures I could be able to give you a clue when the two bottles have been bottled. Even though Madeira wine is pretty stabel even over longer periods of time, with bad storing conditions and the wines being low-grade blends, they might no longer be fit for drinking.
Best regards
Peter

[Roy Hersh]

Thanks Peter. It is amazing how many emails I get just like this and have to give the disappointing news to the buyer or person who uncovers this or inherits a bottle of inexpensive Madeira (and in many cases, BOB Port as well).