Justinos Rich

Justinos Rich is made by Justino's Madeira, a family house trading since 1870 and one of the best known Madeira producers internationally, with one of the largest stocks of wine on the island. It is built on Tinta Negra, the island's most planted grape, grown on small terraces of volcanic soil where basalt and tuff retain heat and give the wine its mineral backbone. Following fermentation the wine is fortified with grape spirit to around 19 percent, leaving plenty of natural sugar. It is then aged by the estufagem method, held warm in cask so that slow oxidation and gentle heat develop the cooked, caramelised character unique to Madeira. The island grape's naturally high acidity is the counterweight that keeps a sweet Madeira fresh rather than heavy. The colour is deep brown amber. The nose is intense, with ripe fruit, coffee, caramel and raisin. The palate is rich and smooth, with molasses and warm spice over a firm acid line, finishing long and inviting. Serve at 14 to 16 degrees in a small glass. It works after dinner with chocolate, coffee desserts and dried fruit.