Belem’s Madeira Meio Seco Wine
Belem's Madeira Meio Seco is a fortified wine at 17% ABV in a 500mL bottle — 100% Tinta Negra aged a minimum of three years in old oak casks, in the medium-dry meio seco style, from the Belém's Madeira brand produced by Henriques & Henriques — available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 17% vol
- Size: 500mL
- Grapes: 100% Tinta Negra
- Sweetness: Meio Seco (medium-dry)
- Aging: minimum 3 years in old oak casks (estufagem style)
- Origin: Belém's Madeira — produced by Henriques & Henriques, Câmara de Lobos, Madeira DOC, Portugal; brand established 1932 by João de Belém
The Madeira That Cooks as Well as It Drinks
The Belém's brand dates to 1932, when João de Belém — the last surviving member of the Henriques family — founded his own house; today it is owned and produced by Henriques & Henriques itself. At 17% ABV, the Meio Seco sits below the usual Madeira strength, which is exactly why the importer pitches it two ways: a proper medium-dry drinking Madeira, and the best Madeira to cook with — marinades, glazes, and reductions for seafood, poultry, and game. Browse other Belém's Madeira wines, or explore more dessert wines for the cellar.
Tasting Notes
Toasted hazelnut, dried citrus peel, and a saline mineral edge over caramel and baked apple. Medium-dry with bright acidity and a clean, savory finish — drier than most Madeiras on the shelf.
How to Enjoy
Serve in 2–3 oz pours; the importer suggests nuts and hard cheeses, savory soups and seafood chowders, salmon, tuna, and game — or as an aperitif and in cocktails. It keeps indefinitely once opened. In the kitchen, use it where a recipe calls for Madeira: pan sauces, glazes, and marinades.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "meio seco" mean?
Medium-dry — drier than meio doce, drier than doce, but not fully dry like Sercial.
Why is it only 17% ABV?
Belém's is made at 17% rather than the typical 19–20%, which keeps it lighter and more versatile for cooking as well as drinking.
Can I cook with it?
Yes — the importer specifically recommends it for marinades, glazes, and reductions for seafood, poultry, and game.
How long does it keep after opening?
Per the importer, it keeps indefinitely both unopened and opened — Madeira is one of the most durable wines in the world.
Keep a bottle in the pantry and one on the bar: order Belem's Madeira Meio Seco online from Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.