Enjoy Seasonal Fortified Wines
Fortified wines, with their deep flavours and warming alcohol content, are the perfect choice for this season. Whether you’re relaxing by the fire, hosting a dinner party, or simply indulging in a moment of solitude, these robust wines are sure to bring comfort and warmth. Let’s explore some of the best fortified wines to enjoy this autumn and winter.
The Quintessential Winter Warmer
Port is often the first fortified wine that comes to mind when thinking about winter drinks. Hailing from the Douro Valley in Portugal, port is a rich and sweet wine that’s perfect for colder weather.
- Ruby Port: A great choice for those who enjoy a sweeter wine with notes of berries, plums, and chocolate. It’s perfect for pairing with rich desserts like chocolate cake or enjoyed on its own as a post-dinner treat.
- Tawny Port: Aged in wooden barrels with a complex flavour profile with notes of caramel, nuts, and dried fruits. Its smooth, mellow character makes it an ideal companion for a cheese board, especially when paired with blue cheese or aged cheddar.
- Vintage Port: The ultimate indulgence. Made from the best grapes of a single vintage year, this port is full-bodied, with intense flavours of dark fruits, spice, and chocolate.
A Versatile Winter Delight
Sherry, a fortified wine from Spain’s Jerez region, offers a wide range of styles, from dry to sweet, making it a versatile choice for winter drinking.
- Oloroso Sherry: Oloroso is a dark, full-bodied sherry with rich flavours of nuts, dried fruits, and a hint of spice. Its dry yet rich character makes it a great match for hearty winter dishes like stews, roasted meats, or even a savoury mushroom risotto.
- Amontillado Sherry: A lighter sherry but still full of character. Offering a nutty flavour with a hint of caramel and spice. Enjoy it alongside roasted nuts, cured meats, or a warming bowl of soup.
- Pedro Ximénez (PX) Sherry: For those with a sweet tooth, PX Sherry is a must-try. Made from sun-dried grapes, it’s incredibly sweet and syrupy, with intense flavours of raisins, figs, and molasses. It’s delicious poured over vanilla ice cream, paired with dark chocolate, or simply sipped on its own.
A Robust Island Treat
Madeira, from the Portuguese island of the same name, is a fortified wine known for its incredible longevity and unique flavour profile.
- Bual And Malmsey Madeira: These sweeter styles are perfect for winter, offering rich flavours of toffee, roasted nuts, and dried fruits, along with a pleasant acidity that balances the sweetness. Ideal for sipping after dinner or pairing with festive desserts like fruitcake or gingerbread.
- Sercial And Verdelho Madeira: For those who prefer something less sweet but still robust, these are excellent choices. These styles are drier, with flavours of toasted nuts, citrus peel, and a slight smokiness. They’re perfect for enjoying with savoury dishes or as an aperitif.
Sicily’s Winter Gem
Marsala is a fortified wine from Sicily, is another fantastic winter warmer. It’s available in both dry and sweet styles, each bringing something special to the table:
- Sweet Marsala: Sweet marsala is rich and velvety, with flavours of dried fruits, vanilla, and spice. It’s often used in cooking, particularly in the classic Italian dessert tiramisu, but it’s equally enjoyable on its own, especially after a hearty meal.
- Dry Marsala: Dry marsala has a more savoury profile, with nutty, caramelised flavours and a touch of salinity. It’s a great choice for sipping with cheeses, cured meats, or savoury dishes like chicken marsala.
A Warming Aperitif
While often associated with cocktails, vermouth is a fortified wine that can be enjoyed on its own, particularly in winter.
- Sweet Vermouth: Sweet vermouth, with its rich, spiced flavours and slightly bitter finish, is a delightful winter aperitif. Enjoy it over ice with a twist of orange peel or use it as the base for a warming cocktail like a Manhattan or Negroni.
- Red And White Vermouth: Vermouth comes in both red (sweet) and white (dry) varieties, and both can be sipped neat or used in cocktails. The herbal notes of vermouth add a warming complexity to winter drinks, making it a versatile addition to your winter wine collection.