Do you remember your very first bottle of Madeira?

[Roy Hersh]

I got very lucky and the first one opened for me was by a good friend in the early 1990s at a restaurant in Virginia, a bottle of 1834 Barbeito Malvasia. It knocked my socks off and I continued to fall in love with Madeira throughout the next two decades. Nowadays, I get to drink from 60-85 Madeiras a year, sometimes more (when I organize tastings around the USA).

Please share your story ...

[Steve Pollack]

I remember reading the Rare Wine Co. newsletters back in the late 90's, and thinking that vintage Madeiras were very special wines, even before I tasted one. So I bought several bottles for what seemed like a lot of money back then. In hindsight, those prices were ridiculously cheap, and I wish I knew then what I know now. I'm not sure which I tried first, but it was either the 1912 D'Oliveiras Verdelho or the 1863 Barbeito Bual. I was hooked on the very first glass. Like Roy, I have been in love with Madeira ever since.

[Eric Ifune]

Don't remember the exact date, but it was in the late 1970's. My father was starting to buy some Ports and picked up a bottle of Blandy's Duke of Malmsey. Yes an estufaed TNM. I remember it being pleasent, but not as good as the ruby reserves my father was drinking at the time.
My first really fine Madeira was the 1933 VJH Malmsey while I was going to school in Chicago in the mid-80's. I ended up buying some, dispite being a poor student. Still have a bottle!

[Gary Banker]

In 1977 or 1978 when I was stationed at Fort Bragg, I bought a bottle of 10 year sercial. I think it was Leacock's. I needed it to make chestnut soup for Thanksgiving. The recipe called for 1/4 cup. I drank the rest.

[Moses Botbol]

It must've been in the early 1990's when we decided to spend a few more dollar on "Madeira" than Wild Irish Rose. I must've got paid that week in college.

[Marco D.]

My first Madeira was probably when I was 11 years old and my parents took me to the island to visit relatives. Nothing serious, though...

My first "serious" bottle was probably the 1922 D'Oliveira Bual back in 1998.

[Ray Barnes]

I don't think I have ever had the privilege of drinking vintage madeira but have admired it since checking out a bottle of sercial over 20 years ago, being astounded as to how such an old wine, sitting alongside Bordeaux Chateaux not half as old, was so relatively affordable. My first really good madeira, thanks to this forum, was the Henriques and Henriques 10 year old boal. Suffice to say it was an Epiphany in its own right, and several close friends here have become madeira converts thanks also to this wine.

I have an outstanding financial obligation to our friend Jason Jaynes on a partial payment owed on 2 bottles of madeira. Because my old pc's mother board failed I have lost his email and would be very thankful if either he or another member could provide me with his contact information so that I can address this situation. The last 12 months or more have been an extremely trying time mostly due to family illness, enough to keep me away from here and cause considerable life disruption off line as well. There has been some improvement in that regard, thank heavens for that.

Ray

[Mark Daugherty]

Greetings Everybody,

This is my first official post on FTLOP, although I have been a devoted lurker and I've emailed Roy on madeira related advice in the past.

My first real bottle was given to me by a relative in Funchal in 2000. It was a Blandy El Rei, photo attached, year unknown, any background would be appreciated?

When pouring madeira, I jokingly say to my friends, "You are drinking the blood of my ancestors." But for me, that first taste was a big eye-opener. I love to sport fish for big marlin and drink wine...of which, Madeira is known worldwide for both. I knew these were MY PEOPLE...

IMG_7052.jpg (172.55 KiB) Viewed 2798 times

[Graeme D]

My first madeira was a Blandy's Alvada - a 5 year old mix of Bual and Malmsey grapes I realise now - but it was very enjoyable. I drink a fair amount of port but never with sweet things, usually just cheese. However, for Madeira I tried drinking it with fruit cake and I really enjoyed it. Since then I've moved onto some slightly older stuff from H&H!

[Roy Hersh]

While up in Vancouver, I had the Blandy's Alvada and it is very nice indeed. Certainly worthy of the price.

[Miguel Simoes]

Born and raised in Portugal, only had my first bottle of Madeira a few months ago. Found a bottle of Leacock's Rainwater at Stew Leonard Wines and decided to get it. Was advertised as getting 90 points on Wine Spectator and went for something super cheap like $12. Went for it.

For my first go at it tried having it chilled. Wasnt that great. Second time around though, maybe a month later, had it at room temperature and really loved it. Went back to get some more but they were out of it. Got a 5 yr Malmsey... looking fwd to opening it now!

Have been reading into Madeira wine since trying that first bottle. Impressive its fantastic history!

[Andrew E]

Sure do, l just had my first bottle last night. Some H M Borges Rainwater:

http://www.elvinjo.de/s01.php?shopid=s0 ... &bnr=MD006

Was great stuff and went well with fried plantains and an avocado salad that was a bit heavy on the lime juice.

I think the lime juice messed with my palate though because the madeira had a lime aftertaste the rest of the night.

[Roy Hersh]

Don't give up on this thread just yet. Vivian Lee just nailed this topic in her blog with an experience you really need to read about!

http://vivaciousgourmand.com/2011/06/14 ... -and-mind/

[Eric Ifune]

Nice article.
It made me think and now I'd say that Moscatel would be the perfect introduction to Madeira. Sweet and tasty but still showing good acidity and the rancio of long cask age.

[Joe Dachille]

My first bottle [I had gotten glasses of bual (10 year) and sercial (5 year) at a favorite restaurant] was a 1957 Barbeito Bual.

I was in my favorite wine store [Tim's Wine Market in Orlando] just before my 50th birthday . I spotted the bottle and inquired. I really wanted the bottle but the $395 price was almost too high even for a birthday present for myself. They did not have to do much to sell me and they wound up knocking the price down to $195, so I snapped it up [over the years, the $200+ bottles seem to stay put on the shelves]. Jason, Tim's brother, said if I did not like the wine I could surely make some "killer" madeira sauce.

When I got the bottle home, I set it on the counter, expecting to set it aside for a few days until my birthday. I could not wait though. The bottle was opened that night and I was overwhelmed by the aroma...totally intoxicating smell. I can even remember the smell lingering in the air the next day. I was definitely hooked on the vintage stuff.

The bottle is on a bookshelf in my office, along with 11 other madeira bottles, six of which are vintage...my wine library, so to speak.

Joe D'Achille