Madeira

A fortified wine that goes through a lengthy heating process during maturation. Madeira is named after the island where it's made. Madeira ranges from pale blond to a deep tawny color and dry to very sweet. Sercial is the lightest, and driest Madeira; and Malmsey is sweet, rich and dark. Bual and Verdelho are medium-sweet wines. The lighter Madeiras are served as an aperitif, and the rich, dark Malmsey is for sipping after dinner.