Malvasia, Madeira, Portugal 

If this fortified gem had a catchphrase it would be, “Do not let the bitterness steal your sweetness” - Kurt Vonnegut. Madeira, both a Portuguese island and the name of this style of fortified wine, was originally produced by hundreds of families, today only four remain: Blandy, Borges, D’Oliveira & Barbeito. Barbeito was founded in 1946 when Mario Barbeito began buying substantial stocks of old vintages from families of note. The aromatic and citric malvasia comes from vineyards in Arco de São Jorge, and was slowly aged in French oak casks for more than five years, following the historic Canteiro method (gently warming wines in stacked barrels, with no artificial heating in tanks). Butterscotch brown, candied orange nuggets, creme caramel, kumquat, barley field, roasted chestnuts, golden raisins poached in lime juice, sweet pipe tobacco smoke, mint & toasted wood. Serve chilled with a bucket of blue cheese popcorn.