Learn about the history of wine, winemaking, wine tasting techniques and how to build a wine cellar. For further information on the Bordeaux Wine School visit their website. Madeira wine, named after the Portuguese island, is best known for its use in sauces and cakes. It gained popularity when ships stopping off at Funchal took on casks of the local wine for ballast. Today, the same effect is achieved though a vinification process called estafugem .
Wine is the fastest growing category of beverages . . . behind soft drinks.
In the last four years, wine sales have grown tremendously. Sales increases have been boosted by a strong economy, the health benefits associated with drinking wine, and consumer trends toward more upscale products like imported beer, gourmet coffee and bottled water. Wine, beer and other spirits edged out coffee at American dinner tables for the first time ever. Alcoholic beverages are now served at 3.5 percent of at-home dinners, while coffee is served at only 3.4 percent.