Want to instantly elevate your wine game? Look past the usual suspects. Fortified wines are the best-kept secrets of the world's top sommeliers, offering unmatched versatility and value. In this session, we’re busting the 'grandma’s dessert wine' myth. You’ll discover how an addition of brandy and a bit of controlled chaos (like heat and oxygen) creates the most complex flavors in your glass. From the bone-dry, salty snap of Fino Sherry to the lush, century-defying depth of vintage Port and Madeira, we’re tasting through a timeline of liquid history. You’ll learn how to pair these wines with everything from tapas to chocolate, and why these bottles deserve a permanent spot in your wine cellar. Whether you’re a curious beginner or a seasoned collector, this class will change the way you think about what’s in your (fortified) wine glass.
Classes are 2 hours long, including a Q&A session with Astor Center Instructor May Matta Aliah.
What you can expect:
- One welcome beverage
- Six tasting pours of wines (2 sherries, 2 ports, 2 Madeiras)
- A light assortment of cheeses, nuts, dried fruits and more for pairing
What you will learn:
- What makes a wine 'fortified'
- A brief historical background to provide context for these wine styles
- An overview of the 3 geographical production areas
- Understanding the differences between Port, Sherry and Madeira
- An overview of the different unique production techniques used for these wines styles
- Delve deeper into the different styles represented in each of the categories
- Explore through tasting, the flavor profile of each of these wines styles
Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Style: Tasting + Discussion
Good for: Wine tasting with food, Wine class NYC, Things to do in New York
