In the fall, Madeira Wine Festival (Festa do Vinho da Madeira) — shows, folk dances and much more in honor of the world-famous drink — is a bright and fun event that lasts two weeks. The holiday is dedicated to the time of traditional grape harvesting and wine making.
Tables are installed on the streets, treats are prepared, and wine cellars, closed throughout the year, open their doors, inviting everyone to a tasting. In some village you can even participate directly in the preparation of Madeira.
There are several legends about the origin of the symbol of Madeira — wine, for which the name «madera», — has been established in the Russian language. The most popular one tells about a merchant taking his wine to the continent; some of the barrels did not fit in the hold and ended up on the deck under the scorching sun. To top it all off, the ship was caught in a storm…
In general, the wine was considered destroyed, but upon arrival it turned out that this hopeless product —, exhausted under the sun and caught under a wave of stormy waters, — not only did not spoil, but also mysteriously acquired an extraordinary taste.
Later, winemakers learned to give wine this shade, without sea voyages. Nowadays, the madera is kept in oak barrels in sunny areas, turning them over from time to time.
During the festival there is also an exhibition about the madera.