Blandy's Duke of Clarence Rich Madeira

Wine information: For 200 years, Blandy’s Madeira has been synonymous with quality Madeira wine. The Blandys are unique in being the only family of all the original founders of the Madeira wine trade to still own and manage their own original wine company. The family has played a leading role in the development of Madeira wine throughout its long history and members of the family continue to live on Madeira, maintaining a tradition that goes back to 1811. The richest style of the Duke range, Blandy's Duke of Clarence is fined and does not require decanting. It is made from 100% Tinto Negra Mole sourced from various quality vineyards grown at about 200m on the north of the island near Sao Vicente and on the south in Camara de Lobos. After fermentation, and the subsequent fortification, Blandy's Duke of Clarence is transferred to 'estufa' tanks where the wine underwent a cyclic heating and cooling process between 45°C and 50°C over a period of 3 months. After 'estufagem' the wine was aged for three years in American oak casks and then underwent racking and fining before the blend was assembled and bottled. Blandy's Duke of Clarence is fined and does not require decanting. It is a superb accompaniment to dessert dishes, especially fruit, cakes, chocolate puddings and soft cheeses. It has been bottled when ready for drinking and will keep for several months after opening. The Clarence has a deep golden brown colour with honey and raisins on the nose, rich full bodied and soft textured; a great after dinner drink. “I love Madeira, and Blandy’s is one of the best-value operators on the island. Duke of Clarence is toffeed, ripe and nutty, with ample sweetness on the mid-palate, and a clean, tart finish. It is the all-round cake specialist – working superbly with ginger, chocolate and coffee.” Matthew Jukes, Daily Mail, November 2003.

 
     

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