malmsey

views updated May 14 2018

malmsey now, a fortified Madeira wine of the sweetest type. Originally, a strong, sweet white wine imported from Greece and the eastern Mediterranean islands. The word came into English from Middle Dutch via Old French from Monemvasia, the name of a port in SE mainland Greece.

George, Duke of Clarence (1449–78), brother of Edward IV, was said by contemporary chroniclers to have been drowned in a butt of malmsey while prisoner in the Tower of London.

malmsey

views updated Jun 27 2018

malmsey XV (malmesey). — MDu., MLG. malmesie, -eye (in medL. malmasia), f. Gr. place-name Monemvasia in the Morea, of which the var. Malvasia gave MALVOISIE.

malmsey

views updated May 21 2018

malmsey See Madeira wines.