After five years of concentrating on one Madeira grape at a time: Terrantez, Verdelho, Bual, Malvasia and Sercial respectively, it was time for a change of pace. To put it in perspective, all of the nearly 100 bottles we’ve tasted under the same roof in NYC; have combined for a staggering total of circa 17,000 [...]
The late ripening Sercial grape is unquestionably the driest (up to 1.5% RS) and often the most crisp style of Madeira, with lemon, grapefruit and nutty nuances along with mineral characteristics. Madeira’s Sercial grape is noted for its rarity, as well as its fresh, razor-sharp -- some would say, “searing” – acidity, hints of VA and delicate mouthfeel as [...]
This was our 4th consecutive year of exploring the various cultivars of Madeira. Having previously surveyed Terrantez, Verdelho and Boal grapes, the natural progression from dry to sweet, led us to the marvelous Malvasia grape. The perfect ambience, spacious banquet room, excellent food and service staff at NYC’s Del Posto restaurant, has continued to deliver [...]
Bual or Boal as the Portuguese spell it, is a white grape that immediately appeals to those who enjoy Madeira as it provides ethereal aromatics and perfect balance between medium-sweet torrefacted flavors and crisp acidity that allows it to age well for centuries. Article and photos by Roy Hersh © October 2014 [...]
Roy Hersh and Mannie Berk of The Rare Wine Co. collaborated to create an historic tasting of Terrantez Madeiras. Mannie and Peter Reutter of The Madeira Wine Guide contribute their specialist perspectives to this report on 18 wines with a combined age of 3,220 years.
