93pts Wilfred Wong

The Blandy's Rainwater Madeira is fresh, bright, and tangy on the palate. This wine shines with aromas and flavors of nuttiness and a slightly salty tang. Serve it with a plate of lemon-accented, raw oysters. 

Winemaker Notes

Blandy's Rainwater is fined and does not require decanting. It has been bottled when ready for drinking and will keep for several months after opening. A medium-dry Madeira which combines soft fruit and a dry nutty quality. Serve lightly chilled as an aperitif.

Winery Notes

John Blandy first set foot on Madeira in 1807. In 1989, the Symington family became partners with the Blandy family and is helping to reinvigorate the Madeira trade. Grapes are grown in volcanic soil and hand harvested due to steeply terraced cliffs. The resulting wines are highly acidic and were found by historical accident to benefit from being heated - a process that would destroy any other wine. Originally, Madeiras were heated by the sun, stored in casks on the decks of boats exploring the world during the 18th century. Today, Madeiras are heated in a process called estufagem, which gives them great concentration and an incredible capacity to age while retaining some of the vibrant acidity unique to these wines.

The Blandy family is unique in being the only family of all the original founders of the Madeira wine trade to still own and manage their own original wine company. Throughout its long history on the island, the family has played a leading role in the development of Madeira wine throughout its long history. Members of the family continues to live on Madeira, maintaining a tradition that goes back to 1811; 2 centuries of fine wine production.