RWC Historic Series 'New York' Malmsey, Madeira DOC

History: The RWC Historic Series represents a close collaboration between The Rare Wine Co. and Vinhos Barbeito. First conceived in 1998, the goal from the beginning was to produce a series of affordable varietal Madeiras that possess the magical qualities of great Vintage Madeira. Each wine is made up 85% of the stated varietal, selected from parcels of wine 10 to 20 years old. The remaining 15% is very old Tinta Negro Mole, 40 to 60 years of age, which gives the wines much of their aged vintage character. Each wine is named for an American seaport where Madeira was popular in the 18th and 19th centuries. The labels feature early engravings and historic information, further evoking a sense of Madeira’s towering importance in American history.

Aging: The best Madeiras, including those in the Historic Series, spend years or decades in large barrels of various sizes, subject to substantial yearly swings in temperature (a method called canteiro ). This time is what gives the wines their unique personalities.

'New York' Malmsey Tasting Notes: The New York has the deep color and classic toffee/caramel notes that define Malmsey. It’s a perfect wine with which to finish a meal, or with rich desserts, including chocolate.

About Malmsey (Malvasia): This wine, the sweetest and richest of Madeiras, is made from the Malvasia grape, although the precise type of Malvasia has changed over the years. For centuries, Malmsey has been revered and hard to come by. In his 1961 book on Madeira, Rupert Croft-Cooke wrote that malvasia has never been grown in large quantities. As far back as 1757, more than a century before the Phylloxera scourge, a shipper wrote to his customer in America, "As regards the Malmsey, the whole Island produces only about 50 pipes (casks) annually and they are the sole property of one gentleman and the excessive high prices paid for them and the quantity being so small has made that wine never been regarded as a branch of trade."