Different Types of Fortified Wines

Fortified Wines or you may know them by the name of Dessert wines (though they are not) are those having high alcohol contents accompanied by delicious flavours. The fortification of wines which was once seen as an adulteration has now developed as a different style of wine which is enjoyed worldwide. For something truly unique, sparkling red wines offer a vibrant and festive take on traditional red varietals. In this blog, we’ll be discovering some common and very popular types of Fortified wines.

Port Wine

Originated in Portugal, it is traditionally a sweet red wine which is created by adding brandy before the fermentation process gets completed. It is now produced in various other parts of the world using red as well as white varietals and ranges from dry to semi-dry styles.

Sherry Wine

Traditionally Spanish, it a dry fortified wine in which the brandy is added by the winemaker after the fermentation process is complete. It is also available in a few other styles of which Oloroso (rich and dry) and Fino (light-bodied and dry) are very popular.

Madeira Wine

An exotic white fortified wine, it comes from the same name Portuguese island. This type of fortified wine is quite similar to Port although the winemakers sometimes use Sherry- like fortification process to create a dry Madeira.

Marsala Wine

This type of fortified wine was originated in the Sicily island, Italy. A method similar to that of Sherry is used in creating Marsala. However, the winemaker sometimes may add a sweetening agent to create a sweeter Marsala.

Vermouth Wine

Ranging from dry to sweet, this type of fortified wine is great to sip on its own. Generally used in martinis as an “other” ingredient, it is produced worldwide with varying taste and quality.

Muscat Wine

Not exactly a type of fortified wine but it is rather a grape variety which is very commonly used to produce fortified wines in Australia. It generally shows rich sweetness and luscious elements which go well with desserts or cheeses. All these wines along with a range some of the award-winning fortified wines are available on our website Just Wines.