Will this dreadful winter deep freeze ever go away? I am very tempted to buy a one-way ticket to the tropics but until then I'm sipping up the sun with Blandy's 10 Year Old Malmsey Madeira ($30). Blandy's hails from the lush island of Madeira - a paradise that belongs to Portugal and is 400 miles west of the Morrocan coast. Known for its namesake wine, Madeira's rich volcanic soil yields grapes with intense flavor and minerality - including the Malmsey varietal. The Blandy family formed their winery in 1811 and 200+ years later it remains a family business.
Madeira looks like paradise. Wouldn't you love to be there?
Blandy's 10 Year Old Malmsey Madeira was aged 10 years in seasoned American oak casks and the wine is gently heated by warm air in the lofts. The combination of aging and warming imbues Blandy's with beautiful flavors of wood, spice, honey, and toffee. This fortified wine is a delicious match with dessert and daydreams of tropical places. Sip and savor because this beauty will keep for several months after opening. A very sophisticated and enjoyable after dinner drink, you can even enjoy Blandy's 10 Year Old Malmsey Madeira slightly chilled in the warmer months - if they ever get here!
