Blandy’s – 214 years making Madeira news

Blandy’s – 214 years making Madeira news

As Autumn continues to make its presence felt in the UK, the mind drifts towards two things:

The inevitable ‘wouldn’t it be lovely to fly off to somewhere warmer?’ and – perhaps a niche daydream for wine lovers – ‘what bottles am I going to open this festive season?’

Which brings us to Blandy’s Madeira – quite possibly the perfect answer to both.

It’s an odd thing to say, given it has been hailed for centuries – but we’re of the view that Madeira still doesn’t get the broader accolades it deserves.

This storied style of fortified wine, its signature streak of racy acidity balancing the richness and depth of its fortification, made in a way that mimics the natural heating process casks would undergo in the hulls of merchant galleons, demands a place in the racks of every wine lover.

Whether it’s the sweet, unctuous richness of a well-aged Malmsey or Bual, or the elegant finesse of a Sercial or Verdelho, Madeira has a flavour and style for every food, moment and palate.

And for seven generations – over 200 years – Blandy’s, based in the heart of the island’s capital, Funchal, have made the most awarded Madeira of all.

A new voice for Madeira

Our mission to make the noise that Madeira deserves has recently been given a big boost by the appointment of Demetri Walters MW as Blandy’s Madeira’s UK Madeira Wine Ambassador – the first UK Madeira Wine Ambassador ever.

Demetri brings with him extensive experience in the UK wine trade, including sales, education, hosting private and corporate events, as well as appearing on wine shows and documentaries on television. His expertise ideally positions him to drive awareness and distribution of these exceptional wines.

Already up and running, Demetri’s ambassadorship is certain to help Madeira build its presence in the glasses and wine racks of the UK.

Fresh new look – and a liquid evolution – for the classic 10-Year-Olds

The 10-year-old range has always been a cornerstone of the Blandy’s portfolio, featuring each of Madeira’s classic grapes. This year the lineup has been completely rebranded, with clear glass to showcase the distinct colours of the four different grapes as well as vibrant packaging that reflects the verve and excitement of the wines inside.

It isn’t only the clothes that are new though – the wines themselves have seen an evolution. Having ageing facilities in Funchal and on Madeira’s easternmost point, in Caniçal, have allowed Chris Blandy and his team to experiment with maturation locations and temperatures, ultimately bottling wines that express more freshness and varietal distinction, whilst maintaining the signature characteristics of Blandy’s Madeira.

In short – four already superb Madeiras have gone up another level. These are wines to stock up on ahead of the festive period – and have to hand throughout Christmas.

The 98-point showstopper

There’s nothing quite like aged Madeira. These are some of the longest-lived wines of all, continuing to improve for decades, and occasionally even centuries.

Our Brand Manager, Michael, loves nothing better than opening a long-aged Madeira as part of a tasting lineup, so it was no surprise (though a very great pleasure) to learn that Blandy’s 1965 Sercial had earned an enormous 98 point score from Wine Enthusiast.

Roger Voss, rating it, had this to say:

‘This is a light, yet intense Madeira. It is dry, but age has given it a memorable patina of a gold color and old gold flavors. Great intensity and tight acidity and spice give a wine that is unforgettable from what Blandy’s call an iconic vintage. Pair with oysters or cured meats, feta or goat cheese. And just sip.’

This is on top of the already exceptional scores awarded by Tamlyn Currin of JancisRobinson.com and Richard Mayson, both of whom gave the wine 19.5 out of 20 points. 

Whatever your choice, there’s never been a better time to be well-stocked on Madeira. The world is truly waking up to this magical wine again.