What is Fortified Wine? Everything You Need to Know
There was a time I always asked myself, what is fortified wine? Always heard of it but had no idea. Well, I got to know about it and I will be sharing with you what it is and all you need to know about it.
What is Fortified Wine?
Fortified wine contains a distilled spirit, like brandy.
In addition to its greater alcohol concentration, fortified wine has a distinct flavor and aroma that distinguishes it from other varietals.
Nonetheless, both varieties are similar, particularly in terms of health benefits and potential drawbacks.
Prior to modern refrigeration, fortified wine was created to avoid wine spoiling by raising its alcohol concentration.
Wine is produced by a process known as fermentation, in which yeast transforms grape sugar into alcohol and carbon dioxide.
Distilled spirits, like brandy, are added at various points during the fermentation process, increasing the alcohol concentration and altering the flavor of the finished product.
If spirits are added before fermentation is complete, the fortified wine becomes sweeter. In contrast, if the spirits are added later, the wine becomes more dry.
Both sweet and dry types are frequently served as aperitifs or digestifs prior to or following meals to promote appetite and digestion.
Some are also used in cooking to offer a tasty twist to your favorite dishes.
Types of Fortified Wine
There are several varieties of fortified wine, each with a unique flavor and production method.
Here are the most popular types of fortified wine:
1. Sherry
Sherry is available in several variations depending on the grapes utilized. Though usually dry, it is occasionally sweetened and served as a dessert wine.
2. Port Wine
This style originated in Portugal, although it is now produced globally. Brandy is added to the wine before it has finished fermenting, producing a sweeter flavor.
3. Madeira
This style originated in the Portuguese Madeira Islands and is heated and oxidized when exposed to air. Brandy is added at different stages of fermentation, resulting in flavor variances.
4. Marsala
Marsala is a popular culinary wine that is fortified after fermentation, resulting in a characteristic dry flavor. It is also occasionally sweetened, making it an excellent addition to dessert recipes.
5. Vermouth
Vermouth, a fortified white wine available in both dry and sweet varieties, is frequently flavored with herbs and spices such as cloves and cinnamon. It is also used to create cocktails such as martinis, Manhattans, and Negronis.
What are the Benefits of Fortified Wine?
Fortified wine, like ordinary wine, may provide a variety of health benefits.
1. Supports Heart Health
Some studies suggest that moderate wine consumption may help heart health.
In reality, research shows that light to moderate drinking is connected with a lower risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, as well as a 30% lower chance of death from heart disease.
Furthermore, 4-week research of 69 adults indicated that drinking red wine raised HDL (good) cholesterol levels by up to 16%.
HDL cholesterol helps eliminate fatty plaque buildup from your arteries, perhaps lowering your risk of heart disease.
Keep in mind that excessive drinking might hurt your heart and contribute to alcoholic cardiomyopathy, a disorder that reduces your heart’s ability to pump blood properly.
2. Rich in Antioxidants
Fortified wine is abundant in antioxidants, which are potent molecules that help neutralize free radicals, thereby protecting against cell damage and chronic disease.
Wine includes antioxidants such as catechin, epicatechin, and proanthocyanidins.
Red wine also contains resveratrol, an antioxidant known to benefit heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, and certain types of cancer.
Note that red wine may include more antioxidants because it is created from grape skin, which is particularly high in these beneficial components.
Furthermore, studies indicate that your body may not absorb the antioxidants in fortified wine properly, therefore it is recommended to acquire the majority of your antioxidants from nutritious meals such as fruits and vegetables.
3. May Protect Against Chronic Disease
According to certain research, fortified wine can help avoid a variety of chronic illnesses.
For example, one big study found that long-term, moderate wine consumption was connected with a decreased risk of type 2 diabetes in overweight women.
Other studies suggest that consuming wine can boost mental and brain health by lowering your risk of depression and dementia.
Moderate wine consumption has also been linked to a lower risk of numerous malignancies, including colon, ovarian, and prostate.
What are the Downsides to Taking Fortified Wine?
Excessive consumption of fortified wine has been linked to a number of negative health outcomes.
1. Contains More Alcohol
Fortified wine has substantially more alcohol than ordinary types.
Fortified wines, which contain distilled spirits such as brandy, can have 17-20% alcohol, compared to 10-15% for typical wines.
Regularly consuming large amounts of alcohol can lead to alcohol dependence, which can result in withdrawal symptoms when stopped (26Trusted Source).
Furthermore, excessive alcohol consumption has been linked to liver disease, weight gain, brain damage, and heart failure (27, 28, 29, 30).
Limiting your daily alcohol intake is the most effective method to avoid negative consequences.
According to the most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans, moderate drinking consists of one alcoholic beverage per day for women and two for men.
2. High in Sugar
Wine, being manufactured from grapes, has a higher sugar content than many other types of alcohol.
Fortified wine contains even more sugar, as many kinds are prepared by adding spirits to the wine during fermentation before the sugars are turned into alcohol.
Other types are sweetened after fermentation, increasing the sugar level even further.
Sweet dessert wines, such as port wines, contain roughly 7 grams of sugar every 3-ounce (88-mL) serving.
Consuming excessive sugar has been related to a variety of health concerns, including diabetes, obesity, liver difficulties, and heart failure.
As a result, the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend limiting your added sugar intake to less than 10% of your daily calories, or approximately 50 grams on a 2,000-calorie diet.
This means that just one glass of fortified wine will eliminate around 14% of your daily allowance for added sugar, therefore it’s crucial to consume this sweet pleasure in moderation as part of a healthy diet.
3. High in Calories
Fortified wine typically has more calories than ordinary wine.
Dessert wines, such as sherry, can contain almost twice as many calories as red wine.
Though fortified wine is normally consumed in smaller servings than regular wine, excessive consumption can quickly accumulate calories, increasing your risk of weight gain.
As a result, it’s necessary to limit your intake to one to two servings each day.
The serving size varies depending on the wine type and alcohol content, but one serving of fortified wine is typically 3 ounces (88 mL).
Fortified wine is wine that contains a distilled liquor, such as brandy.
Port wine, sherry, and vermouth are common variations. They differ in flavor according on the ingredients and level of fermentation.
Though fortified wine has health benefits, consuming too much of it might be harmful.
As a result, it’s recommended to limit your consumption and enjoy fortified wine as an occasional pleasure as part of a well-balanced, healthy diet.
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