Lettie Teague of The Wall Street Journal explores the history and diversity of Madeira wines in a recently published article. The complex Portuguese wines, produced on an island bearing the same name, are known to “last forever.” This is due to a unique fortification method – a tinge of alcohol is added during the fermentation process, with the wine exposed to higher temperatures thereafter. This had been done so that the wines may last the duration of a long sea voyage; and it was later discovered that they were enhanced by the heat of the sun via the trip.

“It’s one of the world’s most complex wines, with multiple styles and types and a long and illustrious history. Perhaps that’s why all the Madeira wine lovers I know seem to be so well-versed in history, not to mention quite smart,” writes Lettie.  “The list of early American Madeira drinkers reads like a super-patriots roll call: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Betsy Ross.”

Wine Cellar stocks a selection of vintage Madeiras ; each rare and with its own story to tell. Highlights include Manuel De Sousa’s Boal 1900 , as well as  Leacock’s 1960 Terrantez .

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