Fortified Wine

part of: Grape

Fortified wine is made by adding a neutral grape spirit to wine during or after fermentation, raising the alcohol content and often preserving natural sweetness. Port is the best-known style, though the category also includes sherry, Madeira, and Marsala.

Fortified wines range from dry to intensely sweet, and from light amber to deep ruby or tawny. Port-style wines are typically rich and full-bodied, with flavours of dried fruit, chocolate, caramel, and spice. They’re traditionally served after dinner, often alongside cheese, chocolate, or nuts.

Australia has a strong tradition of producing fortified wines, particularly from the Barossa Valley and Rutherglen regions. Australian tawny and muscat are world-class, with some aged examples rivalling the finest European bottlings.

Farmed
photograph to come — from twenty years of markets, farms and kitchens

How it's made

Grapes are harvested, crushed, and begin fermenting in the usual way. At a precise point during fermentation — while significant residual sugar remains — a neutral grape spirit (brandy) is added, raising the alcohol level to around 19–22%. This kills the yeast and halts fermentation, locking in sweetness. The fortified wine is then aged in oak barrels, sometimes for many years, during which it develops complex flavours and softens in character.

Nutrition (per 100g)

Energy 143kcal
Protein 0.2g
Carbs 12.4g
Fat 0g
Fibre 0g Sugar 12.4g
Mass Distribution

What it costs the planet (per kilo)

Carbon ≈2.54kg
Freshwater ≈600.4L
Land ≈3.83m²

≈ Estimated — worked out from a category-typical value further up its supply chain. Where this comes from →

Where it comes from

Made from
Grape, fruit

In the kitchen

Used as

dessert wine and pan sauce

Goes well with
blue cheese dark chocolate walnuts dried fig duck
Classic dishes
  • Port wine reduction
  • Zabaglione
  • Stilton and port pairing
  • Christmas pudding

Keeping one at home? Track yours in your cubud →

Where this data comes from

Nutrition data from

FSANZ

How it was calculated

Analysed

Full credits, licences, and methods: the sources page →

Where to next

made fromGrape, fruit goes well withdark chocolate goes well withwalnuts goes well withdried fig goes well withduck shares a sourceBalsamic Vinegar shares a sourceCream of Tartar shares a sourceGrape Juice & Beverages shares a sourceGrape Leaves shares a sourceGrape Must & Reductions shares a sourceGrapeseed Oil shares a sourceRaisins & Dried Grapes shares a sourceRed Wine
✎ Spotted something wrong? Suggest a correction

Checking who you are...