Portuguese term for the barrel storage racks in the attics of lodges (warehouses) where the well-known dessert wine Madeira is often stored and matured for many years under extreme temperature fluctuations. The wines matured in this traditional way on the Portuguese island of Madeira used to be called "Vinho canteiro". This method goes back to the experiences made with the "Vinhos de torna-viagem" (meaning "wines make a journey"), which used to mature to a special quality during long shipping voyages to the Portuguese colonies in South America, supposedly because of the ship's fluctuations (as was assumed at the time). Only later was it realised that the extreme temperature fluctu ations were the decisive reason for this. See also Torna Viagem.
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Roman Horvath MW
Domäne Wachau (Wachau)