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Fortified Wine

Fortified Wine

Fortified, or liqueur wines, are one of the most noble and fascinating types of wine. All over the world there are different versions, all of which have in common the fact that they are produced through the practice of fortification, i.e. the addition of alcohol, must or mistelle with the aim of blocking fermentation, increasing the alcohol content and giving an exuberance of aromas and structure. Their origin lies in the times of the great routes, when English and Spanish traders fortified wine to preserve it during long journeys. This gave rise to the great expressions we know today: from Sicilian Marsala to Madeira, both characterised by aromatic notes due to oxidation, to the deep and intense expressions of Port and Sherry. For each of these types, there are numerous variations, from dry to sweet, always distinguished by that great aromatic complexity that has made them extraordinarily famous and loved throughout the world.

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Fortified Wines
43 results
Only 2 left!
Porto Ruby Sandeman
Sandeman
75 cl / 19.5% | Douro (Portugal)
12,60 
12,60 
Marsala Vergine Riserva 'Terre Arse' Florio 2006 - 50cl
Florio
2006 | 50 cl / 19% | Sicilia (Italy)
18,40 
18,40 
Pedro Ximenez Montilla Moriles 'Don PX' Toro Albalà 2021
Toro Albalà
2021 | 75 cl / 17% | Andalusia (Spain)
38,00 
38,00 
Marsala Superiore Semisecco 'Targa' Florio 2019 - 50cl
92/100
Robert Parker
Florio
2019 | 50 cl / 19% | Sicilia (Italy)
16,30 
16,30 
Porto Ruby Fonseca Guimaraens
Fonseca Guimaraens
75 cl / 20% | Douro (Portugal)
20,80 
20,80 
Only 5 left!
Porto Tawny W. & J. Graham's 10 Anni
W. & J. Graham's
75 cl / 20% | Douro (Portugal)
37,00 
37,00 
Only 5 left!
Porto Vintage Quinta de La Rosa 2019
Quinta De La Rosa
2019 | 75 cl / 20% | Douro (Portugal)
87,70 
87,70 
Marsala Superiore Rubino Dolce 'Uncle Joseph' Pellegrino 2016
Pellegrino
2016 | 75 cl / 18% | Sicilia (Italy)
18,30 
18,30 
Marsala Vergine Riserva Pellegrino 2000
3/4
Vitae AIS
4/5
Bibenda
2/3
Gambero Rosso
Pellegrino
2000 | 75 cl / 19% | Sicilia (Italy)
24,90 
24,90 
Marsala Superiore Riserva Ambra Semisecco 'Old John' Pellegrino 1998
3/4
Vitae AIS
4/5
Bibenda
Pellegrino
1998 | 70 cl / 18% | Sicilia (Italy)
25,40 
25,40 
Marsala Superiore Riserva Oro Dolce 'Bip Benjamin' Pellegrino 2014
Pellegrino
2014 | 75 cl / 18% | Sicilia (Italy)
17,90 
17,90 
Only 5 left!
Marsala Superiore Dolce 'Oltre Cento' Florio 2020 - 50cl
91/100
Veronelli
Florio
2020 | 50 cl / 18% | Sicilia (Italy)
13,10 
13,10 
Marsala Superiore Riserva Semisecco 'Mille' Rallo
Rallo
75 cl / 18% | Sicilia (Italy)
22,90 
22,90 
Only 2 left!
Porto 'Infanta Isabel' 10 Anni Dom Rozes
Dom Rozes
75 cl / 20% | Douro (Portugal)
33,50 
33,50 
Last One Left!
Porto Tawny Quinta do Noval
Quinta do Noval
75 cl / 19.5% | Douro (Portugal)
19,00 
19,00 
Only 2 left!
Porto 'The Tawny' W. & J. Graham's
W. & J. Graham's
75 cl / 20% | Douro (Portugal)
28,30 €25,50 
25,50 
Only 3 left!
Madeira Verdelho Blandy's 5 Anni
Blandy's
75 cl / 19% | Madera (Portugal)
30,00 
30,00 
Only 4 left!
Madeira Sercial Blandy's 5 Anni
88/100
Robert Parker
Blandy's
75 cl / 19% | Madera (Portugal)
32,00 
32,00 
Only 3 left!
Sherry Oloroso 30 Years Bodegas Tradicion
Bodegas Tradicion
75 cl / 20% | Jerez (Spain)
97,90 
97,90 
Only 3 left!
White Port Leve Seco Quinta Do Monte Xisto
Quinta do Monte Xisto
50 cl / 16.5% | Douro (Portugal)
62,60 
62,60 
Only 2 left!
Marsala Superiore Riserva Semisecco Florio 2013
Florio
2013 | 75 cl / 19% | Sicilia (Italy)
32,00 
32,00 
Only 4 left!
Marsala Superiore Riserva Semisecco Florio 2014
Florio
2014 | 75 cl / 19% | Sicilia (Italy)
34,80 
34,80 
Marsala Superiore Secco Florio 2016
Florio
2016 | 75 cl / 18% | Sicilia (Italy)
29,90 
29,90 
Marsala Vergine Riserva Florio 2010
Florio
75 cl / 19% | Sicilia (Italy)
43,00 €36,60 
36,60 
Porto Tawny Quinta do Noval 10 Anni
91/100
Robert Parker
Quinta do Noval
75 cl / 19.5% | Douro (Portugal)
40,50 
40,50 
Electrico Fino Pasado Toro Albalà - 50cl
Toro Albalà
50 cl / 15% | Andalusia (Spain)
16,20 
16,20 
Pedro Ximenez Solera 1927 Alvear - 37.5cl
98/100
Robert Parker
Alvear
5 cl / 16% | Andalusia (Spain)
29,30 
29,30 
Pedro Ximenez Passito Vintage Spinola 2021 - 37.5cl
Ximénez Spìnola
2021 | 5 cl / 12% | Andalusia (Spain)
31,00 
31,00 
Porto Ruby Quinta do Noval
Quinta do Noval
75 cl / 19.5% | Douro (Portugal)
20,00 
20,00 
Sherry Fino 'Puerto Fino' Emilio Lustau
90/100
Robert Parker
Lustau Emilio
75 cl / 15% | Andalusia (Spain)
22,50 
22,50 
Porto Vintage Quinta de La Rosa 2014
Quinta De La Rosa
2014 | 75 cl / 20% | Douro (Portugal)
94,80 
94,80 
Porto Traditional LBV Quinta de La Rosa 2017 - 50 cl
Quinta De La Rosa
2017 | 50 cl / 19.5% | Douro (Portugal)
28,20 
28,20 
Sherry Pedro Ximenez Emilio Hidalgo
Hidalgo Emilio
75 cl / 15% | Andalusia (Spain)
23,40 
23,40 
Sherry Pedro Ximenez 'Murillo Centenary' Emilio Lustau - 50cl
94/100
Robert Parker
Lustau Emilio
50 cl / 17% | Andalusia (Spain)
51,50 
51,50 
Porto Colheita Quinta de La Rosa 2012 - 50cl
Quinta De La Rosa
2012 | 50 cl / 19.5% | Douro (Portugal)
53,00 
53,00 
Sherry Oloroso Secco 'Gobernador' Emilio Hidalgo
Hidalgo Emilio
75 cl / 18.5% | Andalusia (Spain)
34,80 
34,80 
Porto Tawny W. & J. Graham's 20 Anni (Packaging)
W. & J. Graham's
75 cl / 20% | Douro (Portugal)
50,50 
50,50 
Anghelu Ruju Sella & Mosca 2008
94/100
Robert Parker
4/5
Bibenda
89/100
Veronelli
Sella & Mosca
2008 | 75 cl / 18.5% | Sardegna (Italy)
44,00 
44,00 
Porto Tawny W. & J. Graham's 30 Anni
W. & J. Graham's
75 cl / 20% | Douro (Portugal)
120,00 
120,00 
Madeira Bual Cossart Gordon 5 Anni
Cossart Gordon
75 cl / 19% | Madera (Portugal)
29,30 
29,30 
Porto 'Plus 40 Anni' Dom Rozes (Box)
Dom Rozes
100 cl / 20% | Douro (Portugal)
330,00 
330,00 
Marsala Superiore Dolce Florio 2018
Florio
2018 | 75 cl / 18% | Sicilia (Italy)
23,00 
23,00 
Pedro Ximenez 'Don PX' Toro Albalà 2002
Toro Albalà
2002 | 75 cl / 17% | Andalusia (Spain)
66,50 
66,50 

The Fortification Technique

A liqueur wine can only be described as such if it is fortified, or produced by adding alcohol during fermentation. This ancient technique was spread by English traders at the time of the great trade routes of the Modern Age, between the 18th and 19th centuries, with the aim of ensuring the preservation of white or red wine during long sea journeys, even in adverse weather conditions. This technique, initially used for practical purposes, was transformed over the centuries into a complex and refined production process, necessary to give life to noble and highly sought-after enological specialities.

Today, regulations dictate that the alcoholic base, with an alcoholic strength of at least 12%, can be enriched with mistelle, ethyl alcohol, brandy, concentrated or cooked must until it reaches a high alcohol content, but in any case less than twice the initial level. At the end of the process, the alcohol content must be between 15 and 22%, while for the dry types it must not be less than 18%. However, each type requires precise rules. For example, Marsala Vergine, one of the most prestigious and important Italian fortified wines, can only be made from white Sicilian grapes by adding alcohol of wine origin, thus excluding the use of musts and mistelles. It is also rigorously aged in casks using the Soleras method.

Madeira, on the other hand, produced on the Portuguese island of the same name, is heated with hot air from special stoves in order to simulate the thermal changes and tropical temperatures of long boat trips. This particular practice is responsible for the typical oxidation, accentuated by the long contact with oxygen. Of the many varieties of Sherry that can be produced, Sherry Fino, is aged in barrels that are not filled to capacity but are kept drained in order to encourage the formation of flor yeasts, a layer of yeasts responsible for a typical freshness and delicate hints of walnut and fresh bread. These are just a few examples that show how fortification, production method and ageing can change depending on the type.



The Right Choice for the Table

Once reserved for the upper classes, partly because of the price and lack of availability, the various expressions of fortified types are now contended for by a small number of the world's great wine lovers. The best expressions, characterised by very complex aromas and strong flavours, are not easy to understand or to pair with food. This is why they are traditionally drunk outside meals, as great meditation labels, reserved by very refined gourmets for contemplation. However, pairings are possible and recommended, because they can give great emotions that involve all the senses.

In order to understand the infinite possibilities of pairing liqueur wines, it is first necessary to distinguish semi-dry or dry expressions from sweet ones. A very old Tawny Port can, for example, enhance dishes such as foie gras, mixed crostini, blue cheeses, duck in orange sauce or other roasts with sweet and sour sauces. A younger, fruitier Ruby Port is excellent served chilled as an aperitif or, if very sweet, as an accompaniment to chocolate cakes, fruit tarts or zabaglione. The dry version of Marsala fortified wine is an excellent aperitif, perhaps served with appetizers, olives and cheese, but it is also served with shellfish or lobster, when dressed with very tasty sauces. Marsala Dolci, on the other hand, are strictly for the end of a meal, accompanied by chocolate or a good cigar.

Sherry Fino or Oloroso has great gastronomic versatility, so much so that it is perfect with tapas, cold meats, cheeses and shellfish. The richer, more structured versions can also be served with game. A Pedro Ximenez Sherry, which is usually sweeter, denser and more intense, should be paired with very structured desserts based on cocoa, dried fruit, caramel and jam. These are just a few examples. The world of wine pairings is in fact rich and varied and offers many solutions and possibilities, often unpredictable.

Buy fortified wines online now at Callmewine and discover our selections on offer at special prices. Buy the bottles you prefer or let yourself be guided by the advice of our sommelier.

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