WAC-DC

Last Thursday, on a beautiful spring evening, the World Affairs Council – Washington DC joined His Excellency João de Vallera, Ambassador from Portugal to the United States, at his residency for a tasting of Madeira Wines.  Author of Oceans of Wine, David Hancock, a professor of History at the University of Michigan, offered a dramatic perspective on how the Portuguese Maderia wine trade shaped the economic and social development of the early Atlantic world and American Society.  Hancock explained the variations in types of Madeira and chronicled their journey around the world, and challenged traditional interpretations that have identified states and empires as the primary driving forces behind trade. Hancock reconstructed the lives of producers, distributors, and consumers, as well as the economic and social structures created by globalizing commerce, to reveal an intricate interplay between individuals and market forces.  The American markets, the largest consumer of Madeira, greatly shaped the path of Madeira production throughout the ages.

Following his informative presentation, Dr. Ana Christina Cabaco da Silva, President of the “Instituto do Vinho da Maderia” presented a special sample of Maderia wines along with artisanal artifacts related to the unique culture of the “Pearl of the Atlantic”, a fitting title for this Portuguese island. These beautiful, handmade artisanal linen artifacts were tastefully displayed throughout His Excellency’s residency. The unique selection of wines included a bottle of Leacock Seco from 1825, a 1925 D’Oliveira Verdelho, a 50 year old Tinta Negra Mole, and a Charleston Sercial. Guests were able to sample the wine from 1825, before the Maderia vineyards were destroyed, and compared the flavor to the newly imported vines from 1925. These delectable wines were accompanied by complementing appetizers prepared to bring out the rich flavors of the wines.

Guests were free to wander about the beautiful house to take in the magnificent linens, socialize with the distinguished hosts, sample the many rich wines, and enjoy the warm evening on the beautiful terrace in the garden.

This entry was posted on Friday, April 30th, 2010 at 3:58 pm and is filed under Embassy Series, WAC Events. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.