Vó Vera – A Tribute to Granny
During easter, at my most recent visit to Vinhos Barbeito, Ricardo Diogo presented a wine to me with the words; you can’t write about this. Not yet. Fine, easy to respect that, I thought. Then he poured the wine….
New Releases by D’Oliveiras During 2016
During 2016, d’Oliveiras will release six new wines and two of them will most likely receive som extra attention. The new wines, or old is perhaps a better choice, are expected to start entering the market during summer. The…
A Monumental Bual – Blandy’s 1966
2015 was a year filled with good news when it comes to Madeira wine. Tinta Negra was elevated, a new category saw daylight – the 50 Years Old blend, IVBAM launched a promotion and support plan for Terrantez cultivations,…
Madeira Vintners Releases Their First Wines
Today, the 5th of April 2016, Madeira Vintners releases their first two wines. Not something that happens on a regular basis anymore in Madeira; that a new producer enters the traditional fortified wines scene. It’s been a long road…
First Madeira Visit 2016
It’s always great to be back in Madeira. Or as a friend put it; welcome home Niklas. This year’s first visit to the island included visits to both Blandy’s new top-notch facility in Caniçal and the company’s impressive 4.5…
Blandy’s – 1968 Verdelho Vintage
Nervous and at the same time longing. Last Friday I had my copy in front of me, the hundredth issue of the wine magazine I write for, Scandinavian Livets Goda. My piece was an extensive one, on Etna, a…
V For Verdelho – Blandy’s 1973
Yes, I am a sucker for Verdelho. Yes, it is my favourite Madeira grape. No, I’m not renaming the site Mad about Verdelho. How we perceive wine will always be of subjective matter. There’s no point in denying…
Mad About Madeira Goes Spotify
Music is a big part of our lives, essential even. Don’t think anyone will question that. However, if music is able to influence how you perceive a wine is another chapter. Guess it all comes down to how much…
1811 Malvasia Candida – Or?
A friend of mine came with this sample, an 1811 Malvasia Candida. Unknown producer though. Bought in Portugal. Yeah, I know, I have great friends but that is the wine world. So many fantastic people out there, sharing. In…
A Wine To Improve Conversation
One of my all time favorite books on Madeira was released 54 years ago; Rupert Croft-Cooke’s Madeira. The English author, sadly little known to many, had a most productive writing career. He basically did it all; fiction, non-fiction, poetry,…
New Release: Blandy’s 2008 Harvest Malmsey
Nowadays, when tasting a new Madeira release, I’m almost always impressed. Madeira wine has never been better but what perhaps should be emphasized even more is that this doesn’t seem to be enough for some of the producers. It…
Wine Spectator’s Top 100 – Blandy’s 2002 Bual Ranked No. 24
There’s a few of us, doing our share to raise some awareness when it comes to Madeira. I do it here, on my site, at my Facebook page, On Instagram and Twitter, but also in the printed Scandinavian wine…
1980 Terrantez From The Olím Brothers
Wine is supposed to be consumed, not kept, although some bottles come with a certain psychological barrier. Like the 1980 Terrantez from the Olím brothers Artur and Edmundo, a k a Artur Barros e Sousa Lda. Now history as…
Beautiful Blends – H.M. Borges 15 Years Old Verdelho
More blends! This time the 15 Years Old Verdelho from H M Borges. Again, Ivo Couto’s blending skills is demonstrated in the wine. And by the way, this must be one of the driest blended Verdelho’s out there! The…