Blandy’s Reserva 5YO Rich Madeira, Madeira, Portugal, NV

Grape Variety: 50% Bual, 50% Malmsey

This wine was first born as the Alvada before developing into Blandy’s 5 year old Reserva in 2018. At the time, it was unique within the Madeira wine trade as the first blended wine using two of the island’s traditional white varietals – Malmsey & Bual. The result was a wine that incorporated the luscious, silky, honey suckle Malmsey with the tropical fruit and spiciness of Bual.

Food Match: A superb accompaniment to any cheese board, but also with caramel or dark chocolate desserts.

Maturation:
The Bual and Malmsey used to make this blend were aged seperately for 5 years in American Oak casks in the traditional ‘Canteiro’ system. This comprises of the gentle heating of the wine in the lofts of the lodges in Funchal. 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. The wine underwent racking and fining before the blend was assembled. After an additional 6 months blending in Brazilian Satinwood vats, the wine is finally bottled.