Madeira

[Philippe Borel]

This is non contreversial topic.......

Decanter, many of us are aware of this, just came out with their world wine awards for 2012.

The backbone of this complex and thorough exercise rests on the shoulders, should i say palates, of the Regional Chairs.
All professionals with impeccable credentials. R.H. would be very comfortable among them and i can't undersand why
he does not participate. But i digress.
All of them are asked, every year, the following question: "If you were a wine, what would you be and why?"
The highest number for a single region was three. Moselle Riesling, no surprise, Burgundy, again no surprise and, perhaps surprising
for such a discreet treasure, Madeira.
Here are their comments.
Michael Schuster (Burgundy Chair). 'Vintage Bual: plenty to consider, with a modicum of sweetness but a bite too'
Carloline Gilby MW (Hungary Chair) 'Vintage Malmsey Madeira: my husband says it's for my intense strength, sweetness and complexity'
Andrew Jefford (Languedoc-Rousillon). For me one of the best and the brightest, again, i digress. "Vintage Sercial Madeira: provocative
and rewarding, but also odd, a bit strange and something of an acquired taste".

The statement that was, i think, the most adorable came from the pen of Anthony Rose (Champagne Chair): 'Champagne: i spend most of my life as a cave dweller, but uncork me and i will sparkle'

I do not expect that my thread will ellicit many comments.

[Ray Barnes]

If these wine experts would want to be a wine, one might guess, they would seek to be the best. I find their choices of madeira, Burgundy and Mosel very intriguing - and perhaps instructive.