Cossart Gordon 5 Years Old Madeira Verdelho

Cossart Gordon & Co. was founded in 1745 and is the oldest company in the Madeira wine trade. Francis Newton, a young Scot, sailed from Gravesend in Britain and arrived in Madeira on September 12, 1745, where he founded the company. He was joined by his younger brother Thomas from 1758 to 1763 and then by another Scot, Thomas Gordon of Balmaghie, also in 1758. Thomas Murdoch joined the firm of Newton, Gordon, Murdoch & Co. in 1791. was named.

By 1850 the company was reportedly supplying "half the growth of the island" and Newton's contacts in America through his brother Andrew (who left Scotland for Virginia) proved very successful and the company acquired an unparalleled reputation as suppliers of refined Madeiras. . The colonies in North America at the time were the largest and most demanding market, so much so that the best production was commonly known as "America Madeira". Madeira played such an important role in American life that it was used to toast the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.

This Cossart Gordon 5 Years Old Madeira Verdelho is made from 100% verdelho grapes. This Madeira is intense, complex, spicy, medium dry with a fresh bouquet of dried fruit, spices and notes of wood. On the palate a rich, semi-dry attack revealing refined freshness and notes of caramelized orange peel and a hint of raisins. Serve slightly chilled as a dessert wine, or as an accompaniment to clear soups, pates and game.

The Verdelho grapes of this madeira come from the north of the island near Ponta Delgada and São Vicente, and grow at an altitude of about 400 meters. Made by winemaker Francisco Albuquerque and aged for 5 years in American oak barrels according to the traditional 'Canteiro' system.