Fortified & sherry wine

Fortified wines are wines that have had alcohol produced by the fermentation of grapes added, which increase the alcohol content, as well as protecting the wine from micro-organisms during the long ageing process the wine goes through. Once fermentation has been carried out, the wine undergoes biological ageing, during which the yeast forms a layer over wine, feeding on the alcohol and oxygen, leading it to fully cover the wine and protect it from oxidising. This layer is known as "velo flor". Depending on its characteristics, these wines can be classified as Manzanilla, Fino, Amontillado, Oloroso or Palo Cortado before beginning the ageing process. The most famous are perhaps those from Jerez and Montilla Moriles wines, which have gained great reputations over the centuries after years of production that is unique to the world.