If you're curious about trying Madeira without commuting to a bottle, contributor Brandon Plyler gives us his picks for sampling the fortified wine at some of Charleston's best restaurants. Plyler also writes a quick tutorial on the history of the drink.
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Where to Find a Glass of Madeira in the Lowcountry
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Charleston Grill
Rick Rubel at Charleston Grill is not only one of the most passionate ambassadors for these wines but also a dedicated sommelier not afraid to stock older and rarer selections. As a policy he always tries to have something around 100 years open for glass pours. Currently, the D’Oliveira Malvasia 1907 is part of his Madeira flight.
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Edmund's Oast
If you really want to ease into Madeira, try it in the Old Thyme Punch at Edmund's Oast. The creation contains bourbon, rum, Madeira, lemon shrub, nutmeg, and thyme.
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Ask the bartender if they have any glass pours of Madeira. Chances are, he/she can steer you in the right direction according to your taste.
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Husk
Husk has a wide range of Madeiras by the glass for every taste: dry, off dry, medium sweet, and sweet. The menu even includes a short history lesson declaring, "It was the drink of choice for the Elite and wealthy Southern plantation owners."
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McCrady's
According to the McCrady's menu, "Edward McCrady was a Madeira importer in the late 1700’s and sold Madeira out of this very building." They have an extensive list of bottles, including a Historic Flight of different samples.
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Peninsula Grill
Bask in the splendor of velvet-lined walls and a dim bar at Peninsula Grill while sampling a Madeira collection of considerable depth and breadth.
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