"Madera Massandra": reviews, description

We choose good alcohol not in order to lose control over the situation and our emotions. We take it to fully experience the atmosphere of the evening, celebrate a truly significant event, stay with friends or a loved one. Therefore, good alcohol can not be cheap. Still, they put their soul into it! If you want an original strong wine, then the ideal choice is Madeira Massandra. This drink has a rich bouquet, a thin but very strong flavor, a pleasant taste and a long aftertaste.

From the history

"Madera Massandra" is a strong white wine with the only producer in the Crimea. The biography of this alcoholic beverage has been counted since 1892. In the beginning, from time immemorial, very sweet grapes from the varieties Albiglio, Verdelho and Sersial have been used. Such a long story certainly indicates that the drink should have its own flavor. Of course, this is so. The process of maderization became especially special, the meaning of which lies in the five-year aging of wine, for which oak barrels are used. By the way, exposure is under the open sunlight. Because of this special feature, the Crimean "Madeira Massandra" got the name "twice born by the sun". The aging process takes about 40% of the original volume from the wine, but this is a reasonable price for the opportunity to enjoy a truly unique drink.

Why drink?

"Madera Massandra" is a real mystery for a true gourmet, after all it is a "man's" fortress with a truly "feminine" essence. This wine is compared with a woman-riddle, a woman-coquette, capable of giving unprecedented pleasure so far, if you reveal her secret. The attractiveness of such a "lady" is not discreet, but a hidden charisma, because of which, once you try, it is impossible to abandon the new use. It was never possible to call this wine an image drink. Never had his presence on the festive table been compulsory. This is not sherry and not port wine, although these wines are close in origin to Madeira. But this unique one could always boast of his circle of admirers. Even the name itself was pronounced aspirated, and the fascination with the wonderful properties of the drink was compared to passion. Such honors have not even dreamed of the recognized legislators of the alcoholic fashion. To drink wine in one gulp is thoughtless waste. Here you need to enjoy the bouquet, inhale couples and taste by drop to understand the true value of drinking. Why drink it? Yes, to taste the taste of this wine to the last drop!

From the very beginning

Madeira, or Madeira, was the name for wine back in those ancient times when it was made on the same wooded island in Portugal. The principles of manufacturing and aging without changes have survived to this day. Therefore, even today, a sugar reaction occurs in the wine, explaining the amber color and caramel-nut notes in taste and aroma.

The first vines on the island of Madeira took root in 1453. That year can be considered a prerequisite for the appearance of a drink, but in fact the case helped. Portuguese ships brought to India wine, but because of the calm, they drifted for a long time in equatorial latitudes under the scorching sun. The wine had to be transported to Europe, but at the end of the journey the drink changed its taste and aroma, getting in the process shades of roasted walnut and caramel.

There is also another version of the origin of Madeira, according to which the rocky moist soil of the island did not allow to build a cellar, and it was necessary to store wine in the attic, where it was warmed by the sun.

The beginning of a long way

World glory came to the drink in the 16th century, when Dutch merchants began to take it for export. The first admirers were the British, who could sell the house for a barrel of drink. Expensive did not prevent to get the status of cult alcohol wine. Among the admirers were great people. For example, the Duke of Clarence, brother of Edward, King of England, who was sentenced to death, wished to be drowned in this wine. In the 18th century ladies used Madera as spirits, dipping their shawls into it. But in Russia at the beginning of the last century, Grigory Rasputin himself respected the drink himself , who could use 5-6 liters of wine for dinner. Even poison was poured into a glass of wine and cakes. By the way, weakened the effect of cyanide potassium namely sugar (!), Contained in cakes and wine. Rasputin did not die of poisoning. Given that he was a strong man, his love for ordinary wine would cause mistrust, but "Madera Massandra" reviews, rating and fortress always had a corresponding unique drink. At international exhibitions, the drink received 10 gold medals!

Crimean pride

The historical birthplace of the drink remained immortalized in its name, but Russians have an association with the Crimea at the mention of Madera. Indeed, the village near Yalta, located in the southern part of the peninsula, is a great place for growing grape varieties of the Sabbat, Albillo and Sersial. At the winery is the largest in Europe site for the production of beverages. By the way, it is produced in the Kuban, Krasnodar Territory, Armenia and Moldavia Madera Massandra. Wine drink from Crimea was always considered to be the standard of quality. Only once did the work on wine production stop. This was the period of the Great Patriotic War. But the drinks were evacuated in Tbilisi, as they represented a value similar to works of art. Home wine returned only in 1945. Now in the Crimean cellars contain the harvest of all the years, from 1900 to the present day.

Maderization

The production of Madeiraan wines includes pink, white and red grape varieties. In Crimea they do only on the basis of white. Grapes grow on century-old vines, as it was on the Portuguese island. Crimean wine differs from the original recipe only by the addition of purified grain alcohol instead of grape. Therefore, the taste of European wine is softer. The drink is kept in barrels, the tree for which is supplied from Moldavia or Krasnodar. It should be old barrels, since a strong oak tannins saturation badly affects the taste of wine. Therefore, before pouring the wine into the barrel, a man climbs inside and scraps the top layer of the tree. This differs from other beverages "Madera Massandra". The testimonials of the tasters are confirmed by the fact that even today the wine retains an unforgettable taste of past times. At the same time, the drink does not become obsolete, but remains forever young and relevant. Is not this the dream of a true winemaker ?!

They say buyers

Our people love good wine, but they are not in a hurry to overpay for it, so a recognized brand is the key to success and commercial profit. Madera can withstand a long time under the scorching sun and only gets a taste and aroma. Helps to enrich the wine and the air layer in the containers. For a few seasons in the sun Madera reaches the right condition, then goes to the basement. By the way, in the coolness of wine is still a few years before going to the buyer. If necessary, the Madera is blended. There are factories that produce products using simplified technology. They have ordinary wines, the maderization of which is carried out in artificially heated barrels. They endure such analogues only a year.

Artificial "Madera Massandra" customer reviews also gets diverse, but you can immediately conclude that this product is more mass consumption. The fortress remains at the level, but here caramel-nutty tones of the drink go to the background. The result is a wine for a banal feast, not ambrosia for the elite!

The tradition of drinking

This noble drink deserves respect and consideration of the rules of its use. Only in this way you can enjoy the full potential of the wine. Madeira is an excellent aperitif, but provided that the doses are moderate. If you just chill the drink, it can be harmoniously combined with snacks and hot dishes. The wine has a very pleasant smell, but here's the taste for the first time is sharp, and so stretch the process and drink with sips can be not entirely pleasant.

If you decide to taste the wine "Madera Massandra", how to drink it right? Slowly, but confidently. Spill the alcohol in the tulip glasses on the high leg. Remember that you can not heat a glass, but fill it only two-thirds. Thus, a person can shake the wine and catch additional flavors before a sip. Uncork the bottle and let the wine breathe.

Filing with the soul

A true connoisseur of elite alcohol will not allow himself to eat a melted cheese. The process of serving on the table is very important for the mood and sensations of the guests. So, on your table appeared "Madera Massandra." What is served with this drink? Recall that Madera is a long-liver that can be stored for as long as you like. So you can buy it in advance and for future use. If the wine has an aging time of more than 50 years, then notes of pear, fig, quince and date are added to the nutty aroma. Such a drink should be served after dinner with a variety of snacks. Fruits, sandwiches with peanut butter will do. In a new way, the wine reveals the taste of cigars. Madera highlights the taste of ham and smoked meat. And, of course, it is worth remembering Rasputin and eating wine with cakes. It's a delicious dessert with alcoholic notes!