The Wines & Vineyards of Portugal

[Roy Hersh]

In 2003, Richard Mayson wrote (pp 54-55):

"At the end of the 1980s over half the island's output originated from direct producers. Most of the wine still masquerading as Sercial, Verdelho,Bual and Malvasia, yet these noble grapes made up just six percent of total production. Although this situation has improved considerably, Madeira is still hampered by the lack of an accurate or up-to-date cadastro (register) of the island's vineyards."


Peter, do you know if this situation has changed in terms of a full study and cadastro of the vineyards? I do know that today the producers themselves make very little of their wine from their own grapes; and use dozens to up to 900 independent growers to source the grapes for their production.

[Peter Reutter]

Dear Roy,
according to Liddell, the production of European vines was 32,680.95 hectolitres equaling 54% of total must production in 1995, rising from 33% in 1980.
The production from the European vines in 2005 was 33,567.74 hectolitres.
So, since the overall area of viticulture has been reduced (at least that is what everybody telles me), the precentage of European vines must have increased. My guess would be like 60-70 percent of total grapes nowadays.
As for a new cadastro... Has anybody ever had the feeling that things work out fast on Madeira island? Not me So I rather doubt that there are any serious efforts underway to establish a new cadastro. Next time I meet someone from the IVM, sorry IVBAM, I will ask.
Peter