Madeira

This fortified wine produced in the volcanic Madeira Islands ranges from dry wines that are typically served as an aperitif to the ones high on the sweet scale that are usually enjoyed with desserts. Approximately 85% of Madeira is produced with the Tinta Negra Mole red grape, from which all of the different styles can be produced, from dry through sweet.

Other four major styles are each named after the predominant white grape variety that is used in the mix. From driest to sweetest those are, respectively: Sercial, Verdelho, Bual, and Malvasia. Madeira is famous for its unique winemaking process of wine heating, which produces a wine of exceptional durability.

Depending on the style, the wines may have simple or complex aromas and develop a fascinating range of flavors that include fruit, roasted nuts, toffee, or caramel.