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What is Fortified Wine?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

A fortified wine is a wine to which spirits such as brandy have been added. In addition to raising the alcohol content of the wine, the spirits also change the flavor profile, making a unique and very distinctive wine. While fortified wine was originally born out of necessity, consumers began to appreciate and enjoy the flavor, and so producers continue to make it.

There are a wide number of varieties of fortified wine, although some of the most famous are Vermouth from France, Marsala from Italy, Sherry from Spain, and Madeira and Port from Portugal. Most fortified wines are named after the regions that they are produced in, as each regional fortified wine has a distinct style. They may also be further classified by grade and fermenting process, as is the case with sherry, which comes in varieties like Fino and Oloroso. In some cases, a fortified wine may be protected with an Appellation of Controlled Origin, meaning that only wines from a certain region may bear that name. Wines not made in that region can only be labeled as being in the “style” of that particular area.

Fortified wine has a higher alcohol content.
Fortified wine has a higher alcohol content.

The origins of fortified wine can be found in the 16th century, when a growing number of countries were exporting wine. Unfortunately, these wines were not terribly shelf stable, and they often went bad during the shipping process. To compound the problem, the wines were also not able to stand up to the often violent movements belowdecks. In an effort to preserve their wines, winemakers began adding brandy, creating fortified wine.

Marsala is a famous fortified wine from Italy.
Marsala is a famous fortified wine from Italy.

If brandy is added before the fermentation process begins, the result is a very sweet, rich fortified wine such as Port, which is often used as a dessert wine. Adding brandy afterwards makes a more dry wine, like traditional dry Vermouth. Depending on how the wine is aged and handled, the flavor can vary widely, from the mellowness of cream sherry to the extreme tartness of an extra-dry vermouth.

Consuming small amounts of wine may lower blood pressure.
Consuming small amounts of wine may lower blood pressure.

In addition to being served on their own, fortified wines are also sometimes used in mixed bar drinks. They may also be used as cooking wines, as it often the case with sherry. In either case, fortified wines last much longer after opening than traditional wines do, allowing people to use and serve them in small amounts. Ultimately, however, the wine will go off, becoming unpleasant to drink. Storing fortified wines under refrigeration after opening can help to slow this process, as will using a good replacement cork.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

Armas1313

@Qohe1et

Although rum is not a fortified wine, it would nevertheless have been quite popular on ships bound for the New World, since it was quite popular in Colonial America.

Qohe1et

I wonder if the prevalence of Fortified Wines in merchant ships contributed to the tendency for sailors and pirates to be attracted to hard liquors? I know that there are a lot of pirate songs about rum and they tended to be heavy drinkers and alcoholics.

anon15919

what is sparkling wine, fortified wine, red and white wine?

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    • Fortified wine has a higher alcohol content.
      By: stevem
      Fortified wine has a higher alcohol content.
    • Marsala is a famous fortified wine from Italy.
      By: spinetta
      Marsala is a famous fortified wine from Italy.
    • Consuming small amounts of wine may lower blood pressure.
      By: Hunor Kristo
      Consuming small amounts of wine may lower blood pressure.
    • Spirits like brandy are added to fortified wine.
      By: EcoPim-studio
      Spirits like brandy are added to fortified wine.
    • Fortified wins will have a unique and distinctive flavor.
      By: auremar
      Fortified wins will have a unique and distinctive flavor.