Beverly Hills was the location, the chic Citizen Restaurant the place where Madeira's centuries old history in the wine world was once again explored.
The seminar and wine tasting was sponsored by some of Madeira's most prestigious wineries such as Henriques & Henriques, founded in 1850, Justino's founded in 1870 and Vinhos Barbetto. 
Conducting the seminar was Roy Hersh of Sammamish, Washington who has established a reputation as an authority on dessert wines.
Madeira has enjoyed over five centuries of fame  for its wines whose patrons included Thomas Jefferson in the New World.  It is said the signing of the Declaration of  Independence on July 4, 1776 was toasted with Madeira wine.
Both white and red grape varietals are used in making Madeira wine.  The red grape is Tinta Negra while the the white varietals are Sercial, Verdelho, Boal and Malvasia.
These varietals produce the longest lived wine in the world thanks to the unique terroir of the Island as well as the methods of maturation and barrel aging.
The tasting in Beverly Hills was well attended  and allowed the comparing of Madeira wine which are classified as dry, medium dry, medium rich or rich.  This is determined by what grape varietal was used.
Strict control of all Madeira wines is conducted by the Madeira Wine Institute.