Winemaker Notes
Michael Broadbent is considered the world's most experienced taster of Madeira. He went to the island to select the best wines for the Broadbent Madeiras. This resulted in a collaboration with Justino Henriques, the most important producer of classical Madeira. Produced only from the finest grapes grown on the island, Broadbent Madeira's are made in strict accordance with the traditional methods.
Bartholomew’s love for Portuguese wines stems from their eminent drinkability, restrained alcohol levels and the balance which makes them versatile enough to pair with all kinds of everyday dining. Bartholomew worked on building the market for at least 10 major Port brands, so it was only natural that his next step would be to develop his own. He was looking to make wines which were friendly on the palate, yet with enough quality to please the discriminating connoisseur, at an affordable price. Thirty years in the making, after recruiting one of Portugal’s most respected and accomplished winemakers, his full range of Ports is now released, offering timeless elegance and classic pedigree.
A cheerful, translucid, lemon-yellow and slightly pétillant white wine, Vinho Verde literally means ‘green wine’ and is named after the northwest Portugese region from which it originates. The ‘green’ in the name refers to the youthful state in which the wines are customarily released and consumed, not the color of the wine.
It is typically a blend of various percentages of Alvarinho, Loureiro, Trajadura, and Pedernã (Arinto). Following initial alcoholic fermentation, a natural, secondary malolactic conversion in cask produces carbon dioxide, giving Vinho Verde its charmingly light sparkle.
Whether it’s playful and fun or savory and serious, most rosé today is not your grandmother’s White Zinfandel, though that category remains strong. Pink wine has recently become quite trendy, and this time around it’s commonly quite dry. Since the pigment in red wines comes from keeping fermenting juice in contact with the grape skins for an extended period, it follows that a pink wine can be made using just a brief period of skin contact—usually just a couple of days. The resulting color depends on grape variety and winemaking style, ranging from pale salmon to deep magenta.