Certified Sommelier Practice Exam

Colheita Madeira refers to a vintage-dated wine that has been aged in wood for a minimum of five years before being bottled. However, it is important to note that while the minimum aging for Colheita is indeed five years, these wines are often aged longer to develop more complexity and character, and many producers choose to age their Colheita Madeira significantly beyond the minimum requirement.

Therefore, five years is the critical threshold for the classification of Colheita Madeira. The emphasis on aging details is crucial in understanding Madeira's unique style, which is celebrated for its richness and depth resulting from both the grape variety and the long aging process.