fortified wine

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Last updated

June 26, 2026

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Fortified wine is a wine that has had alcohol, usually in the form of grape brandy, added during or after fermentation. This process typically raises the alcohol content to over 14 percent, often between 17% and 21%. The addition of alcohol serves two main purposes: to prevent all the sugar from fermenting, resulting in a sweeter wine, and to create a distinct alcohol character.123

Common examples of fortified wines include sherry, port, and Madeira. The alcohol used for fortification is typically distilled from wine and has a high alcohol percentage, usually 95% to 96%. Fortified wines are often taxed at higher rates than wines with lower alcohol content.3

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Fortified wines
The addition of alcohol during or after alcoholic fermentation produces fortified wines of over 14 percent alcohol, generally called dessert wines in the United States. In most countries, these wines are taxed at higher rates than those of 14 percent or lower alcohol.…
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The addition of alcohol during or after alcoholic fermentation produces fortified wines of over 14 percent alcohol, generally called dessert wines in the United States. In most countries, these wines are taxed at higher rates than those of 14 percent or lower alcohol.…
Read More