Did You Know?... About Madeira

Madeira is a group of Portuguese islands in the Atlantic Ocean. It is also the name of a type of fortified wine made there. When Portugal had a globe spanning empire, the islands were a common port of call for shipping. Fortified wine shipped through the route acquired a very unique taste. Before the days of refrigerated shipping, wines stored in the hold of a sailing ship would "cook" on the long sea voyage. Since then, the wine makers of Madeira have learned to recreate that flavor by intentionally heating their wines. This "estufagem" process creates deep, nutty flavored wines, but depending on the grapes used can range from dry to sweet.