Vinho da Madeira
Photo: Mark Woodbury · CC BY 2.0

Vinho da Madeira is a signature dish of Portugal; we have verified places to eat it in Funchal. A fortified wine deliberately heated as it ages, made dry to sweet across Sercial, Verdelho, Boal and Malvasia. Start with where to eat Vinho da Madeira in Funchal.

Vinho da Madeira · Funchal

A fortified wine deliberately heated as it ages, made dry to sweet across Sercial, Verdelho, Boal and Malvasia. Almost indestructible once opened, and the reason Funchal has wine lodges on its main avenue.

The Malvasia vine was planted on Madeira in the 15th century on Prince Henry's orders, to break the Venetian and Genoese hold on the wine trade. Barrels loaded as ballast crossed the tropics twice, and shippers found the heat and motion improved rather than ruined the wine. Producers reproduced the effect on land through the canteiro method, ageing casks in warm lofts for years or decades. Blandy's and H.M. Borges still do it in central Funchal, and the wine goes from bone dry Sercial through to sweet Malvasia.

Where to eat in Funchal:

Where to eat Vinho da Madeira in Funchal: the editor picks

Taste Vinho da Madeira with a local in Funchal

Toboggan Ride & Madeira Wine Tasting Tour★ 2.8 (4)
This dish

Guided tour · 4 hours

Toboggan Ride & Madeira Wine Tasting Tour

Sample some local Madeira fortified wine. Visit Funchal market with all its colors. Head to Monte for the toboggan ride. Visit Câmara de Lobos, the fishing village.

from€115 Check dates

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