A golden, medium dry wine. A good all purpose 'verdelho-style' of wine. Madeira should be cellared upright. This is ideal as an aperitif or as an accompaniment to consommes, pates or cakes. It is also well matched with smoked fish. Madeira starts life as fermenting must and is then fortified, either to arrest fermentation for a Malmsey or a Bual, or after fermenting out, in the case of Sercial or a Verdelho (to a minimum of 17% alcohol) and undergoes its own very special maturation process. Fermentation takes place at different stages according to the grape variety used. Grapes are picked from mid-August up to the end of October and the special 'estufagem' of the wines begins in January. The Estufa process: The unique character of Madeira was discovered in the 15th Century, when Madeira wines were used as victuals for ship's companies, stored in the holds of caravels. The blowsy heat of the ship's hold was found to have dramatically improved the wines, making