Blandy’s – 5-year-old – Verdelho
An Island and a wine… whether what am I drinking? Of course, a unique Madeira wine from Portugal!
What the label tells us… this is a fortified wine from Madeira island, produced by the Blandy’s winery, from the Verdelho grape variety, and aged for 5 years in oaked casks.
The Blandy’s 5-year old Verdelho is medium amber in color with the characteristic aromatic complexity of Madeira wines – dried apricots, roasted nuts and toffee, on the nose. On the palate, a medium-dry wine with notes of orange peel and honey. The perfect balance of sweetness and medium acidity. Raisins and dried fruit notes coming through with a citrusy finish.
A full-bodied wine with 19% alcohol content.
Winemaking: Verdelho grapes are hand-harvested and underwent fermented off the skins with natural yeast in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. After approximately 4 days, fortification with grape brandy takes place to stop fermentation at the desired degree of sweetness.
The wine was aged in American oak casks in the traditional ‘Canteiro’ system (gentle heating of the wine in the lofts of the local lodges). Over the years the wine is transferred from the top floors to the middle floors and eventually to the ground floor where it is cooler. After this gradual ‘estufagem’ the wine underwent racking and fining before the blend was assembled and bottled.
This elegant, medium-dry Madeira wine is perfect as an aperitif or dessert wine. Great with many desserts especially fruit cakes, but is pairing well also with pâtés, any poultry meats or hard cheeses.
Serve this award-winning wine lightly chilled!
Cheers!
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