Fortifieds: Master Class

Once the greatest wines in the Western World due to their healing and traveling properties, fortifieds are now consigned to the upper shelves in stores and afterthoughts in books and wine courses. Here is our chance to rediscover the beauty, power, staggering complexity, ageability, and damn good value that are fortifieds. The diversity of styles, grapes, and terroir all make for an amazing journey into one of the greatest forgotten wine styles of the last 500 years.

First, we need to work out what a fortified is and how it can be made, then we will look at its history, good and sometimes bad, and where it stands in the market today. Tasting examples are from all over the world.

In this fortified wine class in Houston, discover the major and famous regions, looking at Port, Sherry, and Maderia, then uncover some gems from France, Spain, Italy, Australia, and South Africa.

Let’s look back at these venerable wines and appreciate what they have to offer in the 21st century.

• Port vs Tawny
• Maderia
• Sherry
• Rutherglen
• Banyuls