Fortified wines are those whose alcohol content is between 15 and 23º. They are made through specific aging systems and with a complete fermentation of the musts. They are aged in oak barrels and exist in a sweet or dry version. Today, the area where we can find the most fortified wines is in Andalusia, mainly in Jerez.
The base wine from which a fortified wine is made has an alcohol content of between 11 and 15º, it is a young, light and very clean wine. Depending on the characteristics of this wine, it will be used to produce different types of fortified wines: Fino, Oloroso, Amontillado... the aging process varies depending on the type of fortified wine. In order for the wine to have particular characteristics, the criaderas and soleras system is used. The last process in the production of these wines is the harmonization and bottling of the wine.
Not only the Jerez area produces this type of wine . DO Port wines, known for their sweet red version, are also very popular. Málaga also produces fortified wines made mainly from Moscatel and Pedro Ximénez grapes.
We also want to highlight that this type of wine pairs very well with all kinds of desserts , such as desserts with chocolate or cakes with fruit. They are also ideal to accompany dried fruits.
