Wine Styles

Fortified

Biologically aged fortified wine

A layer of living yeast protects the wine from oxygen — and changes the flavour.

In biologically aged fortified wines such as Fino and Manzanilla, a film of flor yeast grows on the wine surface. It limits oxidation and creates distinctive savoury aromas.

How it tends to feel

body

Light to medium

acidity

Medium

tannin

Very low

sweetness

Dry

This is a broad shape, not a rule. Individual wines can move around it.

What creates the style?

Fortification

Flor ageing

Fractional blending / solera

Common grapes

Palomino

Good places to look

JerezSanlúcar de Barrameda

Typical directions

AlmondBread doughGreen oliveChamomileSaline impressions

Taste the difference

Compare the shape, not just the label.

The quickest way to understand a style is to put it next to something deliberately different.

Fino vs oloroso sherry

Fino develops under a layer of yeast called flor, giving a dry, fresh and often savoury style. Oloroso develops through oxidative ageing without that protective flor layer during its main maturation, commonly bringing fuller body and nutty depth.

Oloroso is not automatically sweet: check whether the wine is dry or a sweetened style. Serve according to the particular sherry rather than treating all fortified wine alike. Amontillado provides another useful comparison because its development includes both biological and oxidative stages.