The formerly densely forested island of Madeira today grow the four vines Serical, Verdelho, Bual (Boal), and Malmsey.
Madeira was know among the Phoenicians, who though it was uninhabitable because of the many forests, 1419 the island was taken into possession by the Portuguese. The forest was completely burned away and the area used agriculturally. Sugarcane and the Malvasia grape were the first productions. On the way to the new colonies the English ships often stopped to load up the local wine. The region was badly damaged by the phylloxera vastatix and mildew, and viniculture hasn't completely recovered yet.
Madeira is actually a group of islands in the Atlantic, but is also the name o the main island. The landscape is made of high mountains, steep cliffs, and abundant vegetation. The growing area is very high at 1000m above sea-level. The best vineyards are on the south side. The soil of the island is volcanic ash, at best blended with clay.
The Madeira wine is split into the four basic types Sercial, Verdelho, Bual, and Malmsey and is produced from the vines Verdelho, Bual, Malvasia, Tinta Negro Mole, and Terrantez, Candida, Bastrado, and Alicante.
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