One of Madeira's most famous exports is a fortified wine known
simply as Madeira. This wine, relatively unchanged since its
creation over 200 years ago, is characterised by its deep flavour
which is obtained through the constant reheating and cooling of the
liquid. This was discovered by traders in the 17th and 18th
centuries, who, upon picking up wine in Madeira to take to the
Americas, noticed how the flavour of the wine would be improved as
it was taken through the varying temperatures of the tropics.
Madeira wine varies from dry styles served with starter courses to
sweeter varieties which are consumed after the meal.
A particular highlight in the Madeira calendar is the magical
Madeira flower festival. Taking place in spring, this festival is a
smorgasbord of flora and colour. As the name suggests, the
celebration celebrates the astonishing variety of flowers which
grow all over the islands and features among its events, a parade
made up of flower floats, incredible dresses of sewn flowers and
colourful dance performances. It also includes an extensive flower
market and a flower show. Originating in the 1950s, the festival
traces its roots back to a flower exhibition which incorporated a
number of other smaller festivals and grew into a multi-coloured
extravaganza.