Fortified Wines of the World: A Global Exploration.

A global journey through the world’s most enduring and expressive wine traditions. Fortified wines represent some of the most historic, expressive, and age‑worthy styles in the world, each shaped by its own climate, culture, and winemaking tradition. This class offers a sweeping yet focused tour through the major fortified‑wine regions, tracing how producers from Portugal to Spain, France to Italy, and beyond have refined these styles over centuries. We’ll examine the power and longevity of Vintage Port, the saline complexity of Madeira, and the layered elegance of Sherry, from bone‑dry Fino to the richness of Oloroso and PX. From France, we’ll explore the graceful oxidative depth of Banyuls and Maury, and from Italy, the aromatic intensity of Marsala. Along the way, we’ll consider how fortification techniques, barrel aging, and regional traditions shape sweetness, structure, and longevity, revealing why these wines remain essential to both collectors and the world’s great tables. A rich, engaging journey through the fortified styles that have defined—and continue to define—the global wine landscape. To complement the wines, we will also enjoy a curated selection of artisanal cheeses and breads.