Complete Guide to Fortified Wine
Discover fortified wines from Port to Sherry to Madeira. Learn how grape spirits transform wine into rich, complex beverages with exceptional aging potential.
Characteristics
- Alcohol added during or after fermentation
- Higher alcohol content (15-22%)
- Ranges from bone-dry to lusciously sweet
- Exceptional aging potential, often decades
- Complex flavors from oxidative or reductive aging
Popular Grape Varieties
Food Pairings
- Blue cheese and Stilton (with Port)
- Almonds and olives (with dry Sherry)
- Dark chocolate desserts
- Nuts and dried fruits
Serving Temperature
55-65°F (13-18°C) depending on style
What is Fortified Wine?
Fortified wines are wines strengthened by the addition of grape spirit (usually brandy) during or after fermentation. This process raises the alcohol level to 15-22%, creating wines of remarkable richness and longevity.
How Fortification Works
Port Style (During Fermentation)
Spirit is added while grape sugars are still fermenting, killing the yeast and leaving natural sweetness. This creates sweet fortified wines like Port.
Sherry Style (After Fermentation)
Spirit is added after fermentation completes, resulting in dry fortified wines. Sweetness is added later if desired.
Major Fortified Wine Styles
Port (Portugal)
From the Douro Valley, Port comes in several styles:
- Ruby: Young, fruity, ready to drink
- Tawny: Aged in barrel, nutty and caramelized
- Vintage/Vintage: Single vintage, ages in bottle
- LBV: Late Bottled Vintage, accessible aged style
Sherry (Spain)
From Jerez, Spain, aged using the solera system:
- Fino/Manzanilla: Bone-dry, pale, almond notes
- Amontillado: Aged Fino, amber, nutty
- Oloroso: Rich, oxidative, walnut flavors
- Pedro Ximenez: Intensely sweet, like liquid raisins
Madeira (Portugal)
From the island of Madeira, known for near-immortal aging:
- Heated during aging (estufagem) creating unique caramel and nutty flavors
- Ranges from dry (Sercial) to sweet (Malmsey)
Serving Fortified Wines
- Temperature: Most at 55-65°F; Fino/Manzanilla chilled
- Glassware: Small glasses due to higher alcohol
- Timing: Often served as aperitif or dessert wine
- Storage: Dry Sherry drink within days of opening; Port and sweet Sherry last weeks
Food Pairings
With Dry Styles
- Fino/Manzanilla: Olives, almonds, tapas
- Dry Madeira: Soups, hard cheeses
With Sweet Styles
- Port: Blue cheese, dark chocolate
- Sweet Sherry: Caramel desserts, dried fruits
- Sweet Madeira: Rich cakes, coffee desserts
Exceptional Aging Potential
Fortified wines can age for decades or even centuries. A vintage Port from a great year can develop for 50+ years, while Madeira is nearly indestructible, with bottles from the 1800s still drinkable today.
Explore with Sommo
Use Sommo to discover fortified wines, learn about producers, and find the perfect bottle for your next cheese board or dessert pairing.
