Madeira Wine Tasting in London

Another great Madeira tasting in London organized by Westbury Communications in cooperation with the Madeira wine institute, the entity which certifies wines and producers on the island. 

I had already written about a previous Madeira event by Westbury here on this blog.

Tiago Freitas president of MWI gave us a short introduction to the current state of affairs of Madeira wine.  Demetri Walters, MW, a well known expert on the London wine scene, delivered two masterclasses.

I have written on this blog about Madeira and would refer the reader to my post for information about the history and cultural background of the island and its wine.

I have also recorded a presentation that I usually deliver when working as a guest speaker on cruise ships.

MASTERCLASS ONE

1. D'Oliveiras 3yo sweet 

Fruity, easy

Score 88

2. Barbeito rainwater medium dry

Slight bitterness, fresh.

80% TN 20 verdelho 

Score 87

3. Blandy's 10yo Sercial 

Very fresh, dry. Citrus and almonds. 

Score 88

4. Henriques & Henriques boal 10yo 

Complex long honey 

Score 90

Fig highball with coconut 

Madeira, coconut cream 

Smoky Madeirarita 

Fresh, smoky 

5.borges 5yo medium dry 

Fresh easy 

Score 85

6. Justino fine medium dry reserve 5yo

Balanced and long, caramel 

MASTERCLASS TWO 

Terroir Tradition and Elegance 

Banana leaves between staves to make them watertight 

1. Justino TN colheita 2010 

Known for blending.

Good balance, medium sweet 

Score 89

2. HM Borges TN 1998 frasqueira 

Medium dry style 

Bottled in 2024 

Fresh, nutty 

Score 90

3. Blandy's verdelho Colheita 2011

Bottled in 2024

Balanced and complex. Nutty, marmalade. 

Score 89

4. H&H boal 2000

Perfect balance, long and complex. Fruit cake, ripe apricot. 

Score 93

5. D'Oliveiras malvasia frasqueira 2000

Prunes, dry fruit, caramel. 

Remarkable acidity, starts sweet and ends fully dry. 

Score 94

6. Barbeito Sercial 1994 frasqueira 

Fresh, toasted notes 

Score 90