Time to talk of other things ...

 Saude! A toast to Madeira Wines source: madeira.best Madeira fortified wines are world-famous and we were lucky to drop into one of the largest winemakers Justino’s where we got to taste and learn about the nuances of this fine inebriant, nectar of the island Gods. Did you know that Madeira wine was the favourite drink of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson?  Fun fact: Madeira wine was chosen as the official wine for the signing the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America on 4th July 1776! The local grape varieties in Madeira benefit from the nutrient-rich volcanic soil, the warm tropical sun as well as the fog that blankets the highlands each morning. Grapes are grown in hand-planted vines on small plots of land known as " poios ", bolstered by handmade stone walls on steep mountainsides and ae watered by the traditional Levada irrigation system that crisscross the island. There are more than 30 Madeira wine varieties. By some estimates about 85% of a

  Greek Style Figs baked in Honeyed Wine Mama, I just died and went to Heaven … fig-uratively speaking that is. Fresh figs baked in honeyed wine laced with cinnamon, orange extract and vanilla essence over Greek yogurt. In the late 1980s, I had the distinct pleasure of living for nearly four years on the sun-drenched island of Cyprus. There is an abundance of Grape vines, Citrus and Fig trees, so it's only natural that this recipe combines all of this to make what is truly the proverbial Food for the Gods , when served on Greek Yoghurt. All people with healthy physical appetites have a sweet tooth somewhere in their head. ~ Macmillan's Magazine Ingredients: 16 small or 8 large, fresh figs 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp honey 2 cups sweet Muscat or Moscato sparkling white wine 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 1 tablespoons fresh orange juice or lemon juice  1 1/2 tsp orange or lemon zest Method: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Brush a baking dish with olive oil.  I