Free Friday tasting - Madeira day

Friday, 30 November 2018 - 12:00pm to 6:30pm

Fortified by history in a modern age

At its best during the winter months the island of Madeira has as much of an appeal to escapees from a wet, cold and dark British winter as the eponymous wine. The island is subtropical; the wines are generous. For us, if you leave to one side the extraordinary 19th- and even 18th-century wines, the top producer is Barbeito. They're also achingly trendy as they come from an old volcanic plug.

Barbeito wines combine in an almost magical way the finest quality fruit with the effects of ageing to give us siren-like wines of freshness, body and complexity. Their fine acidity makes them incredibly moreish and as well as their ability to partner food they make a fabulous nightcap to avert an otherwise alcohol-free day if you haven't had time for a proper supper and a glass of wine. Their meditative properties are legendary. In an age of sleep hygiene a small glass of one of these and a few pages of an improving book will greatly assist your night. (Anecdotal only; apparently a few observations aren't science.) Madeira cake is optional but excellent and though we don't sell it you can taste a morsel if you're quick enough. /CW

Offered subject to remaining unsold

Vintage Description Cs Sz Bt Sz Cs Bts Cs ib Cs inc Bt inc
N.V. ready Barbeito Malvasia Reserva 5 Year Madeira
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6x 50cl 6 5 £60.00 £91.49 £15.99 Buy
2004 ready Barbeito Single Harvest Madeira
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6x 50cl 0 0 £99.00 £133.08 £24.99 Buy