Malmsey refers to the sweetest style of Madeira, a fortified wine produced in Portugal. It is also the local name for the white Malvasia grape, which by law must make up at least 85% of the juice. To make Madeira, distilled grape spirit is added to the wine to stop the fermentation while there is still sugar present. The fortified wine is then heated for prolonged periods of time in stainless steel tanks or warm rooms, giving it aromas of toasted nuts, dried fruits, and caramelized sugar.
Malmsey styles are fermented for around 24 hours before fortification, resulting in a sweet wine with 17%-22% alcohol content. It can be aged for up to 50 years, then blended with younger wines, bottled, and labeled as 5yr, 10yr, 15yr, etc… The number on the label represents an average of the ageing of all the wines used for that blend. Malmseys have a dark golden-brown color with complex aromas of toffee, sweet spices, and dates, balanced with great acidity that prevents them from feeling cloying. Pair a glass with strong aged cheeses, flan, or just by itself as an after-dinner treat.
Author: Maytte Rivera
