Delicious and sophisticated, fortified wine is a real treat for the senses. This heady beverage is created by adding a distilled, grape-derived spirit, such as brandy or cognac, to wine to increase the alcohol content after fermentation, resulting in a rich, sweet taste. Perfect for sipping from small glasses before or after dinner, fortified wine is often served alongside strong cheeses to complement its potency. While many consider fortified wine an acquired taste, different varieties may suit different palates.

Port

Port is a top-rated fortified wine produced in the Douro Valley of northern Portugal. Due to its richness, port is commonly enjoyed as a dessert wine, although many prefer to sip it after a meal.

Port is generally separated into three categories;

• Red - This deep red variety has familiar flavours of blackberry, raspberry, chocolate and cinnamon. Red port includes mild, fruit-forward Ruby, rich, decadent Vintage and versatile Late-bottled Vintage (LBV).
• Tawny - Paler in colour than red, Tawny port is typically warmer and nuttier in taste. This variety gets its unique flavour from being aged in wooden casks.
• White - Smooth and rounded, white port is enjoyed for its rich sweet flavours reminiscent of orange, apricot and honey.

Port is often likened to a fine brandy in that it can be sipped slowly from a proper port glass, so the complexity of its flavours can be appreciated. While Vintage and LBV port is typically considered fine enough to consume neat, other varieties work better when added to a cocktail; for example, you could use a Tawny port to create a Porto Negroni or Port Old-Fashioned.

Sherry

Sherry is often synonymous with the festive season; however, you can enjoy this nutty fortified wine all year round. Made primarily from the Palomino grape grown near the city of Jerez de la Frontera in Andalusia, Spain, Sherry is aged using a unique system called solera y criadera. During this ageing process, this fortified wine is allowed to season in barrels for a minimum of one year.

Sherry is categorised into two varieties - dry and sweet. Dry varieties include sharp, delicate Fino and lightly acidic yet floral Manzanilla - best served chilled in a small glass and paired with a fruit-based dessert. Sweet sherries like Palo Cortado generally display a complex bouquet of aromas and are best sipped on their own rather than alongside food. Like port, sherry is also commonly added to cocktails and used as a popular cooking ingredient for sweet and savoury dishes alike.

Madeira

Another highly popular wine-based product of Portugal, Madeira has remained a world-renowned fortified wine for centuries. In fact, Portugal was one of the top ten exporters of wine to China in 2016 and 2017. Madeira, made from the Tinta Negra Mole grape variety, still holds the title as one of the most commonly consumed fine wines in Hong Kong.

Like most fortified wines, Madeira ranges from dry to sweet, with complex flavours of caramel, hazelnut, orange peel and burnt sugar. While Madeira can be enjoyed chilled as a sipping drink and paired with desserts, bleu cheese and dried fruits, it is also commonly used in cooking. Due to its tart acidity and nutty taste, Madeira can be used to deglaze pan-fried meats and as an ingredient in sauces.

Vermouth

​Vermouth is a fortified wine often flavoured with various botanical herbs and spices. While vermouth can be served over ice and enjoyed as an aperitif, its primary use is within cocktails such Negronis and Manhattans.

This fortified wine can be broken down into four categories;

• Blanc - Versatile yet unique, blanc vermouth is relatively sweet, floral and less peppery than other varieties.
• Dry - Dry vermouth is light of body and low in tannins. Characterised by a distinctive blend of spices and botanicals, this popular variety is commonly used to make classic Martinis, although it can be diluted with tonic or soda and poured over ice for an excellent low-alcohol option.
• Sweet - This subtly sweet and spicy vermouth variety is aromatised with a range of botanicals making for a complex depth of flavour. Sweet vermouth fairs exceptionally well in a range of cocktails, including the Negroni, the Northern Standard, and more.
• Rose - Bright and bittersweet, this crisp, citrusy vermouth variety is made from a combination of red and white wine, offering a pleasing middle ground between sweet and dry.