SC - fortified wines

[Decker, Terry D.]

A fortified wine is one which distilled alcohol, usually brandy has been
added.  Since distilled alcohol is approximately 14th Century in origin,
fortified wines are late in SCA period.

It is worth noting that wine from both Malvasian grapes and Marsala grapes
were known in Antiquity and were apparently not fortified at that time.  So
it is worth asking, when did these wines become fortified?

Bear

> Ras declared:
> > Malmsey is also fortified as are the sherries, both of 
> > which are period. Fortification does not in itself 
> automatically mean it is 
> > not period.
> 
> So, what exactly is a fortified wine? I know it is one in which the
> alcohol content has been enhanced, but it is done by adding a 
> distilled
> alcohol to it? If so, what is generally used? Or is it done 
> by partially
> distilling the wine itself?
> 
> -- 
> Lord Stefan li Rous    Barony of Bryn Gwlad    Kingdom of Ansteorra