A medium dark, rich and fruity wine, lighter than Full Rich and Malmsey or Port, but full-bodied and very fragrant. This is a 'bual-style' of wine. Madeira should be cellared upright. Delicious as a dessert wine and with fruits such as peaches, pineapple or fruit salads, strawberries and raspberries. Also compliments chocolate and blue cheeses. 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 th