Fortified wine

A fortified wine is a wine to which additional alcohol has been added, most commonly in the form of brandy (a distilled spirit).

Common fortified wines include port, vermouth and sherry. A fortified wine called Muscat is made in Australia.

Fortified wines must be distinguished from spirits made from wine. While both have increased alcohol content, spirits are the result of a process of distillation; while fortified wines have spirits added to them. Fortified wines generally have an alcohol content between that of wines and spirits.

Fortified wines are legally called dessert wines in the U.S. but are called liqueur wines in Europe.