Michael Pronay wrote: (Cwdjrx _) wrote:
The very old Madeira usually is available only at auction, ...
... and on the island. Oliveiras in their lodge (open to the public) has
vintages back to 1850 on their official list (and olders "on request")."

I am sure you could obtain some fine Madeira at aucton on the island as
you mentioned. However all of the very old Madeira I have, going back to
the 1820s , was obtained at commercial auction houses. Some of this may
have firstcome from the island source you mentioned. Michael Broadbent
and others found much of the old Madeira offered at auction in old
cellars in the UK. Also Madeira was one of the most important wines in
the early US, and some old wnes come up for auction from old US cellars.
Much of this old US sourced Madeira was named for the company that
brought it in, a ship, etc. It varied from the quite ordinary to the
best available. I think Michael Broadbent and others may have cleaed out
the Madeira in most of the old UK cellars, so not much top Madeira may
be coming from this source in the future. Fine Madeira has been
rediscovered in recent years, the supply of the best older wines has
been greatly decreased, and the price has increased greatly for the
best. Just a few years ago old vintage Madeira was one of the best
bargins around. Of course the French have long used quite a bit of
Madeira in various sauces, but I doubt if even a 3-star French
restaurant would put quality old vintage Madeira in a sauce!

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