|
Types of Dessert/Fortified Wine
Fortified wines are wines to which spirits have been added to
raise the alcohol content. The greatest of these wines are the Port
wines from the Douro region of Portugal, and Sherry from a region of
Andalusia in southern Spain.
Madeira is probably the most indestructible wine in the world. Historically
the wines were fortified with alcohol, and then shipped by boat across the
tropics in long sea journeys. The resulting "cooking" in the holds of the
ships yielded the wine we call Madeira. Nowadays the wine is either
artificially heated or, for the best Madeira, stored in a hot attic. This
abuse results in a unique, delicious wine. The wine's name comes from the name
of the island of Madeira, a Portuguese possession in the Atlantic about 625
miles from Portugal.
Port is a sweet fortified wine from the grapes growing on the deep walls of
the Douro River Valley in Portugal. Port is made from up to about 40 grape
varieties, most of which are red. After fermenting briefly, the grape must is
poured into larger containers holding spirit, which kills the yeast and stops
fermentation. The wine is then sent to the Port houses in Oporto, where it
stays in barrel for a year or two. At that time a "vintage" can be declared,
and the Port bottled with a vintage designation. This Port virtually demands
another 15 or 20 years aging in the bottle. In order to have Port that is
enjoyable at purchase or shortly after purchase, there are other "wood-aged"
Ports, which have been aged up to 40 years in the cask. Port wine
traditionally accompanies walnuts and stilton cheese.
Sherry is a fortified wine from the area around Jerez, Spain. Made
primarily from the Palomino grape, Sherry is one of the great expressions of
the blender's art. In the Sherry Bodegas, fractional blending systems called
Soleras, ensure a style of wine uniform from vintage to vintage. In the best
of these, space is left in the barrels for a yeast called "flor" to develop
and thrive. Sherries run from completely dry, light "finos" to nutty
"amontillado" to rich "oloroso." Because of the fortification and the exposure
to air, Sherry is essentially oxidized already! An open bottle of Sherry will
last almost indefinitely.
Vermouth is a fortified wine, flavored with herbs, Because of this, it is
often not necessary to start out with fine wine. But some producers do use
start with a good quality wine as a base. Vermouth is made in as many
different styles as there are producers.
Back to Types of
Wine |
