NV Broadbent - Madeira Rainwater

Broadbent Madeira was launched in 1996 by Bartholomew Broadbent, inspired by his father Michael Broadbent, the legendary wine taster who once called Madeira his desert island wine. Michael and his wife Daphne traveled to the island themselves to select the finest lots, eventually forming a partnership with Justino Henriques, one of Madeira's most established classical producers, to source and blend the wines that carry the Broadbent name today.

Rainwater takes its name from a colorful bit of island lore, the story of a Madeira shipment left on the docks of Savannah, where rain seeping into the barrels supposedly diluted the wine into a lighter, softer style that caught on with drinkers. This bottling is made from Tinta Negra grapes, hand-harvested, destemmed, and fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel before being fortified with neutral grape spirit to lock in its gentle sweetness. The wine then undergoes Madeira's traditional heating process before aging in oak casks for a minimum of three years.

The result is a light amber Madeira with aromas of walnut, dried dates, and orange peel. The palate is full yet delicate, satiny in texture, with a touch of sweetness balanced by lively acidity. It works well as a chilled aperitif or alongside roasted nuts and simple fruit desserts.