Style
Fortified wine
FOR-tih-fide
Spirit, sweetness, and air
Port, Sherry, Madeira, Marsala: wines whose fermentation is altered by adding grape spirit — for sweetness, strength, and, often, immortality.
- dried fruit
- nuts
- caramel
- spice
- citrus peel
Port: Douro reds, fermentation stopped with spirit so sugar remains. Ruby is young and fruity; Tawny is aged in wood and nutty; Vintage is bottled early and ages in glass. Serve Tawny slightly cool; Vintage like a red, with cheese or chocolate.
Sherry: Palomino (and Pedro Ximénez) from Jerez. Fino and Manzanilla are biologically aged under flor — bone dry, saline, serve cold with olives and jamón. Amontillado, Oloroso, Palo Cortado are oxidative. PX is dessert in a glass.
Madeira is heated and oxidized on purpose and will outlive you. Use it for cooking and for drinking. A dry Sercial or Verdelho is a spectacular aperitif.
At the table
Service
Fino 45–48 °F (7–9 °C) and finish the bottle in days. Tawny Port 54–57 °F (12–14 °C). Vintage Port 61 °F (16 °C), decanted.
