Madeira is a fortified wine that hails from the island of Madeira in Portugal, about 300 miles off the coast of Morocco. In this guide, we'll explore the details of this incredibly peculiar Portuguese wine, including how and where it's made, the different varieties available, and the best ways to enjoy it. (Even The Cheesecake Factory has chicken Madeira on the menu - apparently, it's their most popular chicken dish.)īut while it's a favorite when it comes to cooking wines, Madeira wine has much more to offer. That's because Madeira sauce is a classic in French cuisine, used with everything from roast beef and filet mignon to pork chops and chicken. Even if you've never sipped Madeira wine, you may have enjoyed a bite of it.