What Are The Best Wines To Drink When I Go To Madeira?

[moggie 939]

Am off to Madeira for Xmas and have never tasted Portuguese wines! Let me say that I do not like fortified wines at all and at home I prefer French wines and drink dry whites such as Chablis or Sauvignon Blanc or sometimes a good Italian if it is dry.

Can anyone give me the names of some to try in my hotel? Also a very dry red as well for a change.

Thanks everyone

[FredPuli43]

Dry, crisp white. Vinho verde. ["vin-yo vairday"]. It comes in various qualities; the best are gran riserva.

[jno]

but don't overdo it...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZN2eZ4NIV5Q

[FredPuli43]

Red wine? Had to think and look around. Douro (tends to be a heavy wine), Alenteyo (less heavy), Dao, and Barraida. Barraida is made from a local grape of Portugal , I think called Baga. Portuguese wines are often made from local varieties of grape

[FredPuli43]

Can't leave this topic without mentioning Madeira. Sercial is a magnificent very dry madeira, rather like a very, very, dry sherry. Nobody drinks dry sherry in England, so that may not help you much, it occurs to me. People think sherry is Bristol Cream !

Anyway, try it; it will be completely unlike any fortified wine you have ever tried. The one to avoid if you think of port or 'normal' sherry, is Malvaisa, what we call Malmsey. This is very rich madeira. I used to buy a bottle of Malmsey, of the brand called Duke of Clarence (because the Duke was drowned in a barrel of Malmsey) every Christmas. That is really what it is for; digesting after a heavy meal, as port would be.

[jomifl]

Portuguese wines are extremely good value as they are mostly overlooked by the wine snobs who can only understand the words Bordeaux and Burgundy.
They are also interesting as they are made from grape varieties not found elsewhere. The following link will give you some names but there are lots of excellent wines that don't appear on this list.
http://bestinportugal.com/50-greatest-portuguese-wines

[mxyzptlk]

I always think that what is good to one may not necessarily be good to another.
When travelling, I usually ask the waiter to advise as they are more aware of local specialities - and I've not been disappointed yet.
Mind you I don't have that discerning a palate that I would know a good vintage.
Whichever you choose, enjoy!!

[jomifl]

/ Nobody drinks dry sherry in England,/
Is that why most, if not all the supermarkets sell it?

[KARL]

Although you might be understood when ordering "vin-yo vairday" there are two potential traps. The correct, non-anglosaxon pronunciation is "vin-yo verdeh" where both "e"s are pronounced as they are in the English language words red, bed, etc. The other point is that vinho verde actually simply means "green wine" which actually is an early/young white - it is drier and more acidic (vinegary) than "vinho branco" (white wine). Vinho verde is often sparkling. Both terms are generic ones, not a label/brand. Portuguese wines come in a wide variety of labels and types, as correctly mentioned already, many/most of them unknown outside Portugal. I have yet to find a really bad Portuguese wine whereas I have tasted several French ones (some much more expensive too) I found abominable. Personal taste is everything and you should simply explain your preference to those serving/selling and openly ask for advice. If all else fails, ask for vinegar ("vinagre") :) . You will find that English is widely spoken in Funchal and also in most larger Madeiran towns and public places. I feel confident you will enjoy Madeira.

[FredPuli43]

I must be showing my age, jomifl. My great despair was always that nobody drank very dry sherry and what they thought of as dry was no more than a bit drier than medium. What type of dry sherry is now available in most supermarkets?

Supermarket buying policy must reflect demand but it seems eccentric sometimes; I couldn't find Benedictine last week, but Tesco had white Rioja, which I would regard as unusual although well worthwhile.

[atalanta]

I used to enjoy a vinho verde caled Aveleda, but I don't know if you can still get it. Tingly rather than fizzy, not heavy on alcohol.

[jomifl]

Alvarinho is a vinho verde which is excellent and is occasionally promoted in Lidl, buy it when you see it 'cos it'll be gone the next day..
Fred, Waitrose have sold a Fino sherry for years, they also sell Oloroso and Amontillado. Allegedly the best range of supermarket sherries but I wouldn't know if that is true as I don't live in the UK.

[jomifl]

Fred, the Rioja region is just 3 hours drive from us over the border, hoping to have a spring holiday there next year, before the before the 'Rioja-istis' arrive en masse. I haven't come across white Rioja before, I'll keep an eye out for it, could be good :o)

[moggie 939]

Thanks everyone for your quick replies. I'll try a few and see (after all the hotel is all inclusive!
Regards