Madeira wine (vinho da Madeira) on the island is called the legendary Madera. According to the most famous version, its history began either in 15 or in the 16th century, when the wine party made its way to India and back - the customer refused the cargo. At home, the wine was tasted and found that the taste changed. After long experiments, winemakers learned to receive exactly the same drink.

Madera and now, for obtaining the desired taste, are kept at high temperatures in wooden barrels or special heat chambers. As a result, get fortified wine (alcohol content of 17-22%) yellow-amber or tea color, with a taste of smoke, caramel and toasted nuts. It can be dry (Seco), semi-dry (Meio Seco), semisweet (Meio Doce) and sweet, dessert (Doce).

The sorts of grapes from which Madeira is made may be different: white Malmsey, Verdelho, Bual, Sercial, red Tinta Negra Mole, Bastardo, etc. If one grape variety is written on the bottle, then Madera is made only from it. The label also indicates the aging of the wine. The word Finest says that it is 3 years, Reserve - 5 years, Special Reserve - 10, Extra Reserve - 15, Vintage (Frasquiera) - 20.