A sweet Madeira wine made from the island's most famous grape variety, Malmsey.

Features: Rich Madeira, matured in American oak casks, from a family-owned winery on Madeira Island.

Country of origin: Portugal.

Storage: Bottled ready to drink. To enjoy at its best, consume within 1-2 years.

Preparation and Usage: Serving Temperature 15°C.

Package type: Bottle.

Full Product Name: Madeira Wine.

Origin: Product of the Island of Madeira, Portugal.

Allergen Information: Contains Sulphur Dioxide/Sulphites.

Dietary Information: Not suitable for Vegans or Vegetarians.

Brand: Blandy's.

Brand details: Blandy's, family owned since 1811: 2 centuries and 7 generations of fine wine production.

Manufacturer: Produced and Bottled by Madeira Wine Company S.A., Funchal, Portugal.

History: The Blandy family is 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. Throughout its long history on the island, the family has played a leading role in the development of Madeira wine. Members of the family continue to live on Madeira, maintaining a tradition that goes back to 1811: two centuries of fine wine production.

Agent: John E Fells & Sons.

Grape variety: Malvasia.

Current vintage: NV.

Regional information: Madeira is situated about 1100kms off the coast of Portugal. The island relief is steep with a mountain range running the length of the island. The vineyards are planted between 200-800 m in altitude on some of the world's steepest slopes. The terrain makes it impossible to mechanise the vineyards, so they are tended to by hand.

Tasting notes: In the glass it displays a rich amber colour with tinges of gold. On the nose there is a bouquet of dried fruit, vanilla and spice. On the palate it's sweetness is balanced by refreshing acidity and is silky smooth with flavours of figs, prunes and a long finish of caramel and spices.

Alcohol by volume: 19.

Producer: Blandy's.

Serving suggestions: Serving Temperature 15°C. It is best savoured after a meal on its own, or with dessert to appreciate its mellowed robust character to the full.

Vinification details: Fermentation is off the skins with natural yeasts in stainless steel tanks. Fortification with grape brandy arrests fermentation at the desired sweetness level. The wine is then aged in the traditional 'Canteiro' system: stored in the lodge in oak barrels, initially in the loft where the gentle warming of the wine and the impact of the wood gives that wonderful caramel taste to Madeira wines.