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Food and Drink

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Blandy’s Madeira Masterclass

11:00am | Thursday 29 March 2012
Tickets:Duration:Venue:
£N/A1 Hour{related_entries id="evnt_loca"}Blandy’s Madeira Masterclass{/related_entries}
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This was an Oxford Literary Festival 2012 Event.
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About this Event:

Blandy’s Madeira, has long been renowned for producing some of the finest wines from the remote Atlantic island of Madeira. Established in 1811 and still family owned, Blandy’s recently celebrated their 200th anniversary.

The island of Madeira was discovered, by happy accident, in 1419, by the Portuguese explorer, Joao Goncalves Zarco. The early settlers soon discovered
that the volcanic soil of the island allowed crops to flourish, and vineyards were soon established. Later, the island provided an ideal victualling stop for European
traders on their way to the East and West Indies. Thus, Madeira wines gained great popularity and reputation, particularly in Britain and on the Eastern seaboard of
America, where they are still much sought after.

Today’s tasting will encompass seven wines from the four “Noble” grape varieties of Madeira: Sercial, a crisp and fresh aperitif; Verdelho, tangy and medium-bodied,
Bual, full-bodied, with an an attractive smokey complexity and, finally, Malmsey, full-bodied, complex and lusciously rich. You will be able to taste a variety of five and ten-year-old wines, finishing with a superb 1992 Colheita Malmsey.

The late Auberon Waugh wrote of Tim Stanley-Clarke: “I have learnt to value his judgement, enjoy his hospitality, rejoice in his company, and above all, open my eyes to the spendour of the wines he promotes.”

Supported by Blandy’s Madeira

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