The Quintessential American Wine: Madeira w/ Bartholomew Broadbent

Used to celebrate the drafting of the US Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, Madeira wines are the ultimate in American wines, though not made in America.  Originating from shipping goods from Europe to America and being born from wines traveling that route, it became the most prominent wine in the US pre-prohibition.  History, culture, and the wines' versatility benefited their relaunch in the 1990s by Bartholomew Broadbent, Owner of Broadbent Selections, which imports an array of wines from emerging regions and has its own line of Madeiras, Ports, and other wines.  Learn more about the history and the journey of reintroducing a long-lost style of wine back to America in this episode of XChateau. This episode is sponsored by Repour, the simple, effective way to preserve your wine...without planning ahead.  Extensively used by top sommeliers, wineries, and wine students, Repour prevents wasted wine and saves money.  Please find out more at repour.com and listen to Episode 24, where CEO Tom Lutz gives us all the details on Repour.  Detailed Show Notes: Bartholomew’s background in wineSon of Michael Broadbent (led wine auctions for Christie’s, Decanter Magazine writer for decades, & leading wine author)Went to Australia at 18 to work harvest, Cognac as a tour guide, worked in wine at Harrod’s in London and at Harvey’s Fine WinesHe moved to Toronto and met the Symington Family, where he spent 10 years teaching about Port & Madeira, based out of San FranciscoHe married a Virginia girl and now lives in VirginiaBroadbent SelectionsFounded in 1996The goal was to create their own brand of Port & MadeiraStarted an import company as well, which focused on emerging wine regions, including: Portugal (now just the Broadbent brands)South Africa (e.g., Eben Sadie)New Zealand (e.g., Spy Valley)Chateau Musar from LebanonGusbourne from EnglandBroadbent wines include Madeira, Port, Vinho Verde (single biggest selling wine), Douro, and Gruner Veltliner from AustriaMadeiraIt was the biggest selling wine in the US until ProhibitionInvented through shipping to America from Europe, ships stopped in Madeira (600 miles off the coast of Africa / Morocco) to re-stock; when wines accidentally made it back to Madeira and went through two journeys by sea, the wines tasted better through the heatingNow the wine style is a cooked and fortified wineLots of history around Madeira - the wine used to celebrate the Constitution and Declaration of Independence, was on the table w/ Betsy Ross sewed the American flagBenefited from a tax loophole, when the King taxed all European goods going to America, it did not cover MadeiraDestruction of the Madeira marketPhylloxera - destroyed lots of vinesProhibition - Prior, 95% of the wine was sent to the US, 5% to the UK and RussiaUpon appeal of Prohibition, shipping had improved and no longer needed to stop in Madeira for suppliesRe-launch of Madeira in the US - Bartholomew relaunched in 1989 with the SymingtonsProduction8 producers of Madeira on the island, who buy grapes from ~1,000 growersVines mostly grown on trellises with other crops underneath (there aren’t a lot of vineyards to see and visit)Two types of heating methodsEstufa - artificial heating in tanks, 3 months at 115F, mostly for the 3-5-year-old styles of winesCanteiro / Traditional - left in attics of buildings to heat; Broadbent ages in 3 locations - attic, ground floor, and basement to blend and get more complexity8 producers make lots of different brands, Broadbent made by Justino’sIsland producers ~100,000 cases/year of drinking Madeira (vs. cooking Madeira), Justino’s ~55%, Henriques & Henriques ~20%Grape varieties3 red grapes (~80%) - Tinta Negra7 white grapes - incl Sercial (grown in hills, ripens less and more acidic), Verdelho, Boal, MalmseyBoth name of grapes and style of winesDrier Madeiras partly made by adding brandy later in fermentationRainwater - needs to be a lighter styleVintage  or Frasqueira Madeira - needs to be aged for 20 years before release, at least 19 years in cask and 1 year in bottle, but bottles  the word “Vintage”  does not appear on the  label as that is trademarked by PortColheita - min 5 years of ageSelling Madeira in the US~25k cases/year in the US, #2 or 3 market globallyEngland and Japan drink a lot of Madeira, Canada also a big marketThe slowdown of sales for Port in the late 1990’s - believes due to the rise of high alcohol wines and not leaving enough capacity for fortified wine at the end of dinnerMadeira appeals to the intellect, stories tied to US history, the beauty of island and tourism, and versatility of the wine due to acidity (pairs with anything)No specific demographics for MadeiraOlder, rarer wines sold mostly at restaurantsMannie Berk of Rare Wine Company also started a Madeira brand and has done a good job of educating consumersSherry market has improved due to mixology and cocktail culture, Spanish restaurants (e.g., tapas) have also helped support itPricing of rare Madeiras has increased a lot, especially in the auction markets, as sales have depleted the stock on the islandBroadbent vs. other MadeirasMore elegance, considered one of the top brands made by Justino’sNamed in Wine & Spirits Top 100 wineries of the worldGreat sales team, including 2 Master Sommeliers, who help to sell into restaurants and retail Get access to library episodes Hosted on Acast. 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