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se (Matt Probert) wrote in message >...
> Once upon a time, far far away, the king summoned "Robert"
> > who replied:
>
> >Could someone reccomend a website explaining the difference between Ports
> >and Sherries? I know that both are higher alcohol desert wines, and both
> >seem to be made from adding brandy to red wine.
> >
> >If I understand correct, "Port" is supposed to be used only for wines of
> >this nature made in the western region of Portugal. Are Sherries simply
> >Ports made outside of this region, or is there another difference?
> >
>
> Port and Sherry are simply (or not so simply <g>) two types of
> fortified wine. The process of making them, however, is very
> different. Port is (generally) made from red wine fortified with
> brandy.
>
> Sherry, however, is made from white wine which has been fully
> fermented until dry and undergoes a very sophisticated process that
> includes aging in large butts, and sometimes sweetening with sun-dried
>
> grapes of a single specific variety.
>
> Port is made in one small region of Portugal, Sherry in a small region
> of Spain.
>
> You may like to know, that fortified wines were invented by the
> English during the 17th century. Some wines had brandy added to them
> so as to preserve them on the long sea journey back to England,
> others, such as Madeira, were accidentally discovered to improve with
> the journey. Indeed early Madeira wines after being collected were
> sent on a cruise to Indonesia before returning to England! Which has
> to be one of the oddest manufacturing processes of all time?
>
> Matt

These two fortified wines are quite good but England has its own
unique brand, buckfast