Fortified Shiraz

The best sweet and fortified wines are made from berries that have a high concentration of sugar. As fortified wines are made by limiting the extent of sugar fermentation within the wine, and due to the maturation of the wines in porous oak, many great wines are able to be created. Port from Oporto in Portugal, Sherry from Spain, Vermouth, Marsala and Tokay, have all proven to be excellent aperitifs and desserts. Fortified Shiraz is made in a similar way, whereby the spirit is added during or straight after fermentation. This process provides the wine with a fine delicate flavour, density, richness and elegance.
Australian fortified shiraz is highly diverse in nature due to its fortified properties. Fortified shiraz can resemble ripe blackberry, red cherry, oak, vanilla and liquor in taste and aroma.
Fortified shiraz is intensely purple and crimson red in colour, spice, chocolate, dried plum, its fruity flavours and exotic aroma provide an intoxicating drinking experience.
As a general rule of thumb, the wine should maintain its strength and richness over the food it accompanies. Chocolate mouse, caramelized pears, dried apricot and any sweet or dry fruit accompany this wine very well.
It is believed that fortified wines contain a substance called “procyanidins” which are beneficial for the heart. These procyanidins form during the prolonged fermentation of the wine in contact with the pips (seeds). Some procyanidins can also be found within dark chocolate, hence, the traditional combination of fortified wines and dark chocolate can prove to be a healthy one.

Common Aromas and Flavours blackberry, red cherry, oak, vanilla, alcohol, spice, chocolate, dried plum.

Food Matching – cheese, chocolate mousse, dark chocolate, dried apricot, dried fruits.