For a basic madeira primer, see madeira in the OCW.
See also, matching food with madeira, a fascinating grid compiled by madeira enthusiast and Barbeito importer Danny Cameron of Raymond Reynolds of High Peak, UK, and my madeira tasting notes from February 2003 and March 2002.
No one selling madeira has any illusions about the tiny market for it. Total production equals only about five per cent of all port made each year, but you ignore it at your peril!
Top-quality madeira is one of the world's most wickedly underrated fine wines. I know you will have...