| When discussing wines, most people focus on the two | | | | from Spain, it is based on white wines with spirits |
| basic categories of whites and reds. Some might even | | | | added. Sherry is more of a mutt variation. It tends to |
| through the sparkling wines in as a third category, but | | | | be made from mixes of different wines with the spirits |
| most fail to bring up fortified wines. If you are really | | | | being added anywhere along the fermentation process |
| serious about wine, this is a mistake. | | | | depending on how the brewer wishes the final taste to |
| What is a fortified wine? It is a wine that has grape | | | | be. A Sherry can be very sweet or very dry. It tends |
| spirits added to it. No, not paranormal spirits. Spirits as in | | | | to have an alcohol content of closer to 15 percent on |
| condensed alcohol. This additional alcohol creates a | | | | average. |
| stronger wine with more kick if you will and also | | | | The Madeira is a form of fortified wine and a very |
| creates a unique flavoring. The world of fortified wines | | | | strange one. It is just about the only wine that will keep |
| is significantly different than you find with basic wines. | | | | for ever. You can store it as long as you like. In fact, |
| There are a number of different types of fortified | | | | you can open it and leave it because it will not go bad |
| wines, so let's take a closer look. | | | | for a very long time. How can this be? It is heated |
| Port is perhaps the best known of the fortified wines. It | | | | during the brewing process, making it a cooked wine |
| is made in Portugal and is shipped through the city of | | | | for a lack of better terminology. Oxygen will ruin just |
| Oporto. I'll give you ten seconds to figure out how it got | | | | about any wine, but not a Madeira. |
| the name Port. Regardless, Ports tend to be red, but | | | | Your average Madeira is a heavily acidic fortified wine. |
| there are white varieties. This fortified wine is | | | | Different producers will handle it differently, but the |
| considered a sweeter version because the spirits are | | | | best versions tend to be sweet. Madeira is a take it or |
| added fairly early in the fermentation process. This | | | | leave it drink for many. Few sit on the fence as to |
| stops the fermentation, which means a good bit of the | | | | whether they like it or not. |
| grape sugars are not converted to alcohol and remain | | | | Are fortified wines for everyone? No. They tend to be |
| in the vintage. Your average port will have an alcohol | | | | very unique and the kick can be surprising. Still, you |
| content of roughly 20 percent - a wine with a kick. | | | | would not be a true wine enthusiast if you didn't give |
| Sherry is our second type of fortified wine. Coming | | | | them a try. |