Fortified Wine
Fine fortified wines are a category of the highest quality fortified wines. Fortified wines are wines which have had additional alcohol added to them (usually a distilled grape spirit such as brandy) to create a new, sometimes sweeter wine with a higher alcohol content (between 15-20%). The fortification process can add distinct flavours to the finished wine. The two most well-known examples are Port and Sherry which both come in a variety of different styles. Port is fortified during fermentation to retain the sugar levels. Some Vintage ports can develop and improve over decades in the bottle. Sherry is fortified after fermentation and sweetened at a later stage depending on the desired style. Sherry is ready to drink on release and will not improve in the bottle. Other types of fortified wines include Madeira, Marsala and Vin doux naturels (Rivesaltes and Beaumes de Venise).
