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What Is Fortified Wine?
Fortified wine became popular in Europe when it was discovered these wines were easily transported and not damaged by the jostle of sea travel as were other wines. Those most well-known are: Madeira Wine (from the Madeira Island) 
Madeira Wine Madeira wine comes from the Portuguese governed island of the same name off the northwest coast of Africa. Most Madeira wine is used for cooking, but the better ones are beverages. Madera is light brown in color and can be sweet or dry. The best Madera wines are aged for decades and are one of these: Sercial - dry and acidic, Verdelho - medium dry, Bual - rich and raisiny, or Malmsey - the sweetest.
Port comes from the city of Oporto, in the Duoro Valley of Portugal. Port is always red wine and it's sold in several different styles. Vintage Port - from a single year and best aged for at least a decade, Tawny Port - a blend of ports from several years and aged for as many as 30 years in the cask, and Ruby Port - a crimson colored blend of lesser, younger ports.
Named for the port city in Spain from where it is shipped, Sherry is from the Palomino grape grown in Southern Spain. The blending and production processes used to make Sherry are quite unique. Sherry can be light or dark, dry or sweet. The different types of Sherry include: Fino - pale and dry, Manzanilla - pale and dry with a salty flavor, Amontillado - dark and rich with a nutty flavor, Oloroso - medium brown with a dry, rich flavor, Amoroso - brown and sweet, best as an after dinner drink, and Cream - the sweetest sherry, best as an after dinner drink.
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