What is a fortified wine? Our presenter will answer this question, along with providing an historical and geographic context.

Guilherme will present the winemaking principles associated with fortified wines, with a particular emphasis on French fortified wines, inclusive of their terroir, appellations, vinification methods and aging method.

Specifically, he will cover Vins Doux Naturels from the Rhône Valley, Corsica, Languedoc and Roussillon as well as Vins de Liqueur  (AOP: Pineau des Charentes, Floc de Gascogne, Macvin du Jura and Non-AOP:  Ratafia – Champagne, Cartagène – Languedoc). Finally, he will discuss the gustative and olfactive characteristics of these wines.

Presenter: Guilherme Marques Martins, Ph.D

Guilherme Martins holds a Ph.D. from the University of Bordeaux (France) in wine microbiology and biotechnology, and an enologist graduate degree from the University of Vila Real (Portugal). His experience as a winemaker covers such countries as Portugal, France and the US.

He is currently the coordinator of the Master in Vineyard and Winery Management at the Institut de Sciences de la Vigne et du Vin at Bordeaux. His teaching presently focuses on winemaking as well as winery design and equipment.

He collaborates in wine consulting for various academic and commercial projects. He also lectures at various locations around the world, and actively participates in promoting and developing innovations in winemaking research useful for both students and the community at large.

Learn more about French Fortified Wines with the French Wine Scholar study and certification program.