Surprise on the night of 20th century Boal Madeiras

The KCC Wine Society had a Vintage Madeira dinner last Friday which featured 8 vintages of Boal Madeira from d'Oliveira, all from the 20th century, from 1908 to 1984. I jumped at the chance when the event was announced, for though I have a 19th century Madeira myself, I had not found a worthy enough occasion to taste it. Tasting an antique (officially antiques are at least 100 yrs old) wine is definitely an occasion not to be missed.

The surprise was to make this evening an even more exceptional occasion. I had know that one of the members of the Wine Society owned a few bottles of 18th century Madeira. I had a vague idea that it was a 1795 Terrantez, When I saw him turn up bringing a bottle, I wondered if my wildest dream had come true. That it turned out to be. He generously brought one of his bottles of 1795 Terrantez from Vinhos Barbeito to share with the group that evening. Now it is rare enough to taste a 100-yr old wine, but an absolutely unique occasion for an ordinary amateur du vin to be able to taste a 2 century old wine. Not only that, Terrantez is actually a rare Madeira grape (though I also have a 1977 wine) which had nearly died out and had just been revived in the 1970s. This has turned out to be a KCCWS event that I would never forget!