Does Madeira change in the bottle?

[Mike K.]

I understand that tawny ports are bottled ready to drink and it is recommended that you do so within a few years. This is because the wine evolves in the bottle over time. Many/most folks describe this change as loosing 'freshness'. (Some people like and even prefer this change over time, and it depends on the producer, but for the purpose of this question I believe we all agree that the wine changes)

But what about Madeira? Does it evolve or change over time in the bottle? I would guess the answer is no, since even opened bottles are reported to not change over time.

If the answer is no, then one should be free to buy and store (upright?) bottles of Madeira for enjoyment years or decades later. Which would be a nice difference from tawny port, where you need to carefully manage your inventory.

Cheers!

[Eric Ifune]

They change, but at a glacial rate. Sometimes for the better, sometimes not. Glass aged Madeira was a big deal in the States around the turn of the 20th century. Many eastern cellars were famous for it. With the passage of decades, the wines become less fruity. More delicate and "lacy" as I call it. With big fruity wines, such as the D'Oliveiras style, they can become a bit more refined. This is why the "Family Reserve" wines from D'Oliveiras are prized. They were bottled some decades ago.

[Moses Botbol]

Most store Madeira upright as it is (including me).