Fortified wine

Fortified wines range in style, from dry and nutty to rich and sweet. Some of the more well-known fortified wines include:

Red Port: a richly sweet and full-bodied fortified wine from northern Portugal, Port comes in various styles. The most popular are Ruby Port and Tawny Port. Ruby Port is a vibrant crimson-coloured wine with deep, sweet fruit flavours and a chocolatey aroma. Aged for longer than Ruby Port, Tawny Port has a lighter brown colour and delivers hints of nuts, dried fruit and toffee.

White Port: is made from white grapes and aged in oak barrels. As it matures, it adds deeper, nutty undertones to its floral and citrus notes. This versatile fortified wine is perfect for sipping as an aperitif, mixing in cocktails or pairing with seafood dishes.

Madeira: made on the Portuguese island of the same name, this wine is famous for its ageing potential. Its flavours are a rich mix of caramel, nuts and dried fruit, with warming hints of cinnamon and nutmeg.

Marsala: an Italian classic, Marsala is a favourite thanks to its sweet, nutty flavour. Besides being a delicious, slow-sipping drink, it’s a staple in many kitchens, adding flavour to savoury sauces and desserts.

Sherry: is a gem from the wine-growing region of Jerez in Southwestern Spain. Fino is the most popular style, standing out because of its dry style and almond-sea salt flavours. Manzanilla, a coastal version of Fino, is similar but with an extra hint of salinity.

Vermouth: A speciality from parts of Italy and France, Vermouth is instantly recognisable by its herbal and spicy flavours and characteristic hints of bitterness. It’s the secret behind iconic cocktails such as the Martini and Negroni Sbagliato.

Fortified wines like cooler serving temperatures. So, to get the best from your bottle, serve your fortified wine slightly chilled, but not cold. Here’s a quick guide to get it just right:

• Ruby and Tawny Port: aim for 12-16°C.
• White Port: best between 10-12°C.
• Madeira: a cosy 12-13°C does the trick.
• Marsala: ideal at 12-15°C.
• Fino and Manzanilla Sherries: they’re happiest at 7-13°C.
• Vermouth: keep it between 7-12°C.

When it’s time to pour, reach for a traditional Port glass or a small tulip-shaped one. These glasses aren’t just for show – they’re designed to bring out the best in fortified wines, emphasising their rich aromas. Remember, with fortified wines, it’s all about savouring each sip.

Thinking of the perfect end to your meal? Fortified wines have got you covered. Pair them with dessert, or let them be the dessert. For the sweeter wines such as Ruby Port, think chocolates and cheeses. A drier Tawny Port is great with savoury treats such as salted nuts and charcuterie boards.

Discover more food and wine pairings inspiration.

Thanks to their generous alcohol and sugar content, fortified wines have more staying power once opened. But not as long as you might think … they’re still wines after all.

A good rule is to reseal the bottle tightly and stick them in a cool, dry spot away from direct light – they will last a couple of weeks.

Some fortified wines, like Sherry and Port, have a longer lifespan because they contain brandy, while others, such as Marsala and Madeira, can last for several years once opened as they are already oxidised.

Learn more top tips to preserve your wine. 

The day of your delivery will depend on which option you’ve chosen at checkout.  

• For a standard delivery, we will deliver your order in 2-3 days.
• Delivery to the Scottish Highlands, some other areas of Scotland, Northern Ireland and offshore islands can take an extra few days.
• Usual delivery times are between 07.00 and 21.00.
• You can select Next-day or Named-day delivery at checkout – but do bear in mind we don’t deliver on Sundays or Bank Holidays.

For the best experience we recommend you subscribe to our Unlimited service. A one-off payment of £29.99 entitles you to free delivery for a year – including free Next-day delivery. There’s no minimum order – you’ll get free delivery even on a single bottle. And you can get delivery to multiple addresses, so it’s perfect for gifting!

We want you to be entirely happy with your chosen wine, so we offer an unbeatable money-back guarantee on every single bottle – even wines you buy on sale.

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If you aren't happy for any reason, get in touch and we’ll arrange to collect your bottle within 48 hours.

Sending wine as a gift online with Laithwaites couldn’t be easier.

• Choose your wine gift and select ‘add to basket’.
• Go to your basket and select ‘checkout’.Select your shipping address (add a new one of you need to).
• Add a case label message (free) or choose a gift card and add a message (for £1.99)
• Select ‘Continue’ and choose shipping method.
• Next day and named day are available for a small extra charge.
• Pay using your chosen method (Credit or Debit card, Apple Pay, GPay or PayPal).
• We’ll take care of the rest!

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