High under the sun-baked roof tiles of Blandys old wine lodge in Funchal, rows of casks rest and mature for years while the island heat does its slow work. This is where Duke of Sussex takes shape — a dry, nutty Madeira with roots stretching back to 1811.
Note: Contains sulphites.
Expert Description
Blandys Duke of Sussex Dry Madeira is a dry fortified wine from Madeira, Portugal, made from the Tinta Negra grape with an alcohol content of 19%.
Blandys has been making Madeira since 1811 and is the only one of the original founding families still both owning and actively running its own house, now in its seventh generation. Duke of Sussex belongs to the house's dry range, named after an English duke from an era when Madeira was a fixture at the British court and on ships crossing the Atlantic.
The wine is aged using the traditional canteiro method, where casks rest in the warm attics of the lodge and mature slowly over years rather than being artificially heated. That gives a more complex, elegant wine than the cheaper estufagem-aged Madeiras, even in this accessible, non-vintage bottling.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Light and fresh, with citrus, toasted almonds and hazelnuts, and a hint of salty minerality behind the classic Madeira bouquet of dried fruit and spice.
Palate
Dry and precise on the palate, with bright acidity keeping the wine fresh. The nutty character carries through from the nose, joined by hints of apricot and a touch of caramel, without ever tipping into sweetness.
Finish
A clean, faintly bitter-nutty finish with a tangy edge that makes the wine a natural aperitif.
Serving & Food Pairing
Serve Duke of Sussex chilled at 11-13°C in a small Madeira or sherry glass. It's built for the aperitif hour, but also works well with smoked fish, tapas and olives, and its dry style can easily stand up to a mild curry.
Specifications
Name: Blandys Duke of Sussex Dry Madeira
Producer/Winery: Blandys
Region/Country: Madeira, Portugal
Appellation/Classification: DOC Madeira
Grape Variety: Tinta Negra
Vintage: Non-vintage (NV)
ABV: 19%
Size: 75 CL
Oak Ageing: Canteiro method, oak casks
Serving Temperature: 11-13°C
Decanting Recommended: No
Glass Type: Madeira or sherry glass
Flavour Profile
Dry · Nutty · Mineral · Fresh · Elegant
Did You Know?
Blandys is the only one of the original families from the founding of the Madeira wine trade that still owns and runs its own house — now in the seventh generation of the same family.
