The renowned wine critic, Michael Broadbent, MW and his son Bartholomew share a love for wine and in particular, Madeira. Winemaker Juan Teixeira works with the family’s network of growers to create the blends but its Michael who goes to Madeira to personally taste and select each wine. In 1996, Bartholomew began importing his family’s Madeira selections to the United States. Madeiras are fortified wines named after their point of origin; an island located 400 miles off the North African coast. During the Age of Exploration (15th century-17th century), Madeira was a regular port of call for ships travelling to the New World and East Indies. The first Madeiras were a happy result of that voyage; to prevent the wine from spoiling, neutral grape spirits were added. The intense heat and constant movement of the ships transformed its pale fortified cousin into a rich, oxidized wine.
