Madeira

By Al Spoler,

Published January 17, 2018 at 3:27 PM EST

One type of fortified wine that has fallen off the radar is Madeira. Al and Hugh tell us more about the wine and give their picks.

The Wines

Blandy's 5 year Sercial Dry Madeira *** $$

Soft, dry, with a slight streak of sweetness balanced by citric acidity

The Rare Wine Co. "Historic Madeira Series" Boston Bual Special Reserve ***1/2 $$$

Rich, remarkably complex, medium sweetness, long finish

Broadbent Rainwater Madeira **1/2 $

VALUE wine, lightest of the Madeiras, still soft, gentle and rewarding

Broadbent 5 year Reserve Madeira *** $$

Sweet, deep and ultra smooth, a true VALUE in Madeira

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Al Spoler

Al Spoler, well known to WYPR listeners as the wine-loving co-host of "Cellar Notes" has had a long-standing parallel interest in cooking as well. Al has said, the moment he started getting serious about Sunday night dinners was the same moment he started getting serious about wine. Over the years, he has benefited greatly from being a member of the Cork and Fork Society of Baltimore, a gentlemen's dining club that serves black tie meals cooked by the members themselves who are some of Baltimore's most accomplished amateur cooks.

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Hugh Sisson

As General Partner of Clipper City Brewing Company, L.P., Hugh J. Sisson is among Baltimore's premier authorities on craft brewing and a former manager of the state's first pub brewery, Sissons, located in Federal Hill. A fifth generation Baltimorean, Hugh has been involved in all aspects of craft brewing.

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