Definition

Noun: * Fortified wine: A type of wine to which a distilled spirit, most commonly grape brandy, has been added. This process increases the alcohol content and can also affect the flavor, sweetness, and shelf life of the wine.

Usage

Fortified wine is a specific category of wine. It is typically consumed in smaller quantities than regular table wine, often as an aperitif or a digestif. It can be served at room temperature, chilled, or used in cooking.

Examples

• Noun:
  • Port and sherry are two of the most famous types of fortified wine.
  • The recipe calls for a splash of fortified wine, like Madeira, to deglaze the pan.
  • He has a collection of vintage fortified wines in his cellar.

Advanced Usage

• "To fortify wine": This is the verb phrase describing the process of making fortified wine.
  • Producers fortify the wine with brandy to stop fermentation and preserve natural sweetness.

Variants and Related Words

• Fortify (verb): To strengthen or add to. In a winemaking context, it specifically means to add alcohol.
• Fortification (noun): The act or process of fortifying. In winemaking, it refers to the addition of spirit.

Synonyms

• Aperitif wine (for some types, like dry sherry)
• Dessert wine (for many sweet, fortified styles like Port)

Related Terms (Specific Types)

• Port: A sweet, red fortified wine from Portugal.
• Sherry: A fortified wine from Spain, ranging from very dry to very sweet.
• Madeira: A fortified wine from the Portuguese island of Madeira, known for its caramelized flavors.
• Marsala: An Italian fortified wine, often used in cooking.
• Vermouth: A fortified wine aromatized with various botanicals, used in cocktails.

Noun

1. wine to which alcohol (usually grape brandy) has been added