Learning about your alcohol is like delving into a whole new world, and it can get complicated figuring out where to begin. When we were studying dessert wines, even this particular type of alcohol intimidated us.
Sure, you may know your French and Italian and have the ability to tell a merlot from a Malbec.
But when you’re thinking of Madeira vs Port, you’ll probably draw a blank. And that’s alright; there’s room to learn more about these two beverages!
Port wine comes from Duoto Valley, Portugal, while Madeira comes from the Madeira Islands of Portugal. Madeira and Port are “competitors” for Portugal’s most beloved and popular fortified wine.
But what else makes them different?
We tackle what these wines are and how they differ below, so read on!
What is Madeira?
Madeira wine originates from Madeira, beginning production when the Portuguese reached the island in the 1400s.
Back then, Madeira wines started as typical table wines. However, after Madeira began being exported, there was a need to fortify them. The addition of alcohol can make Madeira even more resistant during long trips.
Winemakers would exclusively use grape distillate as a way to fortify Madeira, which would usually contain about 17% ABV. There are four kinds of Madeira wine: dry, medium-dry, medium-sweet, and sweet.
Winemakers interrupted the fermentation process of sweeter wines by adding alcohol instead of doing so during the earlier parts. Drier Madeira is fortified with alcohol added only after fermenting.
After fermenting, most Madeira wines will spend at least three months and undergo estugagem, a process wherein the wines are gently warmed to temperatures of 45 degrees Celsius in heated tanks.
At this point, the sugars in the wine would caramelize, giving the wine a characteristic flavor.
Madeira is oxidized through controlled heating, influencing the flavor development and overall structure. This is a very specific process called maderization, which gives Madeira the unique amber color.
- Fun fact: Madeira can also be aged through the “canteiro” process, which is the traditional process reserved for only the noblest Madeira. Cantero is the supporting beam where casks reserved for wine aging are located. Wint will be aged in seasoned oak casks in Canteiro for at least four years, giving high-quality Madeira a fantastic range of aromas.
What is Port?
Port wine is one of the most popular and sought-after Portuguese fortified wines, exclusively produced in the northern areas of Duoro Valley.
- Fun fact: Duoro Valley is the third oldest protected wine region in the world! In 1756, the Duoro Wine Company was founded to regulate the region’s wine-making practices, controlling the quality of wines made in the area.
Port wine became very popular worldwide when British merchants started exporting Port wine by the barrel in the 1700s. The British involvement in the trading of Port wine became massive over the years, to the point you’ll find more English names than Portuguese ones for Port!
Port can be white, rose, or red, with red being the most traditional and common. There are two kinds of red Port categorized based on style: the aging process and the production process.
Ruby is the youngest among all Port wine varieties, which we easily recognize from the bright red color and fruity flavor. Premium Ruby Port is aged in wooded casks for up to six years.
- Fun fact: Ruby Port wine has two labels: Vintage and LBV. Vintage refers to wine made from grapes from a declared vintage year. LBV stands for Late-Bottled Vintage Port, a wine from a single year.
Tawny Port is aged 2-3 years in oak barrels and will be transferred in French oak barrels. Because this Port wine has more contact with wood, it would age quicker, resulting in a nuttier and more complex flavor.
Winemakers can age Tawny Ports for as long as 40 years!
As for white Ports, there are different categories based on the wine’s sweetness levels.
You can find semi-dry to sweet white Ports with a wine from a single year called “Colheita.”
The Differences Between Madeira and Port:
While Madeira and Port come from Portugal and are two of the most popular fortified wines in the area, they are not the same! Their a significant difference in their production processes and categorizations.
- Fun fact: From the 17th century to the 20th century, some Madeira wines were shipped out on a round-trip sea voyage! This was because the Portuguese went on sailing explorations and trading trips, carrying some of the wines to sell. The unsold wines ended up returning home, but it was sold as “vinho da roda,” which gained unique characteristics from the temperature differences and motion of the waves.
Madeira is heated during the aging process while Port isn’t. Madeira’s aging process is different from any other wine variety worldwide, with the high heat giving the wine a more complex flavor profile, like a smoky and roasted nut flavor.
As for Port, the flavors would vary, but they would generally taste ripe, musky berries like blackberries and raspberries. It also has notes of bitter chocolate and nutty caramel. Older Port wines would have concentrated notes of dried fruits, whereas younger ones taste more like lighter-bodied red fruits, such as strawberries.
While they have different processes and flavor profiles, one thing is for sure: These are two delicious dessert wines you can enjoy after meals as a sweet finish to a sumptuous dinner.
There is no better-fortified wine, as it depends on your tastebuds. If you’re looking for a more complex flavor profile of nuts, you can opt for high-quality Madeira wines. But if you’re looking for more sweet and fruity flavors, then Port is a good idea.
- Fun fact: Over a hundred grape varieties were given official permission to be used in Port wine production. However, only a handful of these varieties are widely cultivated to create Port!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are you left with questions about Madeira vs Port? Here are frequently asked questions to refer to:
What is fortified wine?
Fortified wine refers to the fermentation process of wines, which was interrupted y adding extra alcohol. Besides the base wine, producers would add a distilled spirit, commonly grape brandy, so the wine has a higher alcoholic content.
Once producers add brandy, the fermentation process is interrupted, so the sugars typically transformed into alcohol would end up staying a sugar, which makes fortified wines sweeter than usual.
Fun fact: You wouldn’t want to pair fortified wines with a meal. They are best enjoyed as an aperitif or as a dessert wine. But note that these are strong and sweet wines, so even if they taste so smooth, you can end up buzzed quickly from the high alcohol content!
Can you use Madeira or Port for cooking?
Yes, Madeira is actually popularly used as a cooking wine, complementing many ingredients. You can use it as you would with sherry, adding flavor and dimension to sauces, soups, stews, and desserts.
The same goes with Port, particularly Ruby and Tawny Ports. You can use these in casseroles, stews, or deglaze pans to make a quick and delicious meat sauce.
- Pro-tip: If you have a recipe that calls for Madeira, but you only have Port, you can use it as a substitute. We recommend using a red Tawny or dry, aged white Port. Red Tawny is great for cooking beef stews.
Are Madeira and Port features in cocktails?
Yes, they are! Port wine is known to be featured in the Port New York Sour, Port Lemonade, or Coffee Martini.
As for Madeira wine, you can find it in a Madeira Cobbler, Sarparita Cocktail, Old Fashioned Godfather, and many more! You can be creative with your fortified wines and drink them on their own or in your favorite cocktails for added sweetness and flavor.
Wrapping It Up
Learning about your wines doesn’t need to be so confusing.
Start step-by-step, and you’ll be able to tell the differences and learn how to taste each alcoholic beverage’s unique flavors!
Hopefully, our guide comparing Madeira vs Port helped you learn more about Portugal’s two famous wines.
If you want to delve deeper into the world of alcohol, we’ve got you covered with our ultimate guides and topics ranging from what certain alcohols taste like to what you can use as substitutes.
