Reply to: 15.5%

[norrahe]

Just wondered if it was likely to be good, or strong simply to be strong. Will save it till we have company, sounds like something to have a glass of not a bottle to get through myself

It will be strong but all depends on how well made it is, often the higher the alcohol content the lesser the smooth finish. An indication of high alcohol is a heat finish on the throat, which will tell you its a wine for laying down and avoiding or suitable for use in hand to hand combat.

If it's been made by a good winemaker, the the finish should be smooth (but you'll still have one hell of a hangover)

My guess it's a new world wine probably Aussie, Chilean or Argentinian? I know Laithwaites had one called the Fifteen, about 7 or so years ago, which was a hell of a belter and not one to drink on your own.

[d000hg]

If you get wine by the case, is that not to sample it?

Why don't you tell us if it's any good?

Just wondered if it was likely to be good, or strong simply to be strong. Will save it till we have company, sounds like something to have a glass of not a bottle to get through myself

[RichardCranium]

WHS - Sherry and Port average about 20%, and they aren't fortified AFAIK. Well maybe sherry is typically more like 15%, but certainly port.

Sherry is fortified with brandy.

Port is fortified with distilled alcohol.

[mudskipper]

WHS - Sherry and Port average about 20%, and they aren't fortified AFAIK. Well maybe sherry is typically more like 15%, but certainly port.

Sherry and port are both fortified. Would post link, but wikipedia's down!

[OwlHoot]

Actually it's even higher than that k2p2 - 23%. ..

hyperD in "desperately thinking about buying a still" mode

WHS - Sherry and Port average about 20%, and they aren't fortified AFAIK. Well maybe sherry is typically more like 15%, but certainly port.

[hyperD]

I noticed a red in my latest case boasts this. It sounds a bit over the top to me and I'm wondering if I should swap it for something. Do they make decent wines this strong?

Sounds like an Ozzie Grenache, Cab Sav or Shiraz: let it breath, grab some rare steak and enjoy!

Unless you got a bottle of 2009 Chateau Troplong Mondot St-Emilion or Terreni di San Severino Passito?

[hyperD]

Up 'til recently, the strongest wine you could get without fortification was 15%, because then the yeast gets killed and fermentation stops. Now they've got some new super yeasts - so 15.5 (and I think even 16) is possible. High alcohol comes from a high sugar content in the grape and usually makes for a nice smooth easy drinking wine, and thumping hangover...

Actually it's even higher than that k2p2 - 23%. Primarily used in generating a mulch for use in distillation rather than drinking raw as it will taste foul (lots of nutrients and additives such as activated charcol) to create an environment to ensure yeast survivability.

More here...

hyperD in "desperately thinking about buying a still" mode

[suityou01]

OK, fairy nuffski.

Oi! Dooohg! Fecking get it down yer neck, you big girl's blouse.

Put some furkin lemonade in, if you must.

HTH

There. A pleb has spoken.

[RichardCranium]

Ahem, one would want to protect ones palate by consulting the plebs first.

OK, fairy nuffski.

Oi! Dooohg! Fecking get it down yer neck, you big girl's blouse.

Put some furkin lemonade in, if you must.

HTH

There. A pleb has spoken.

[suityou01]

If you get wine by the case, is that not to sample it?

Why don't you tell us if it's any good?

Ahem, one would want to protect ones palate by consulting the plebs first. A fine ruse.

[RichardCranium]

I noticed a red in my latest case boasts this. It sounds a bit over the top to me and I'm wondering if I should swap it for something. Do they make decent wines this strong?

If you get wine by the case, is that not to sample it?

Why don't you tell us if it's any good?

[Cliphead]

If intended, quite a good pun.

Of course!

[mudskipper]

Up 'til recently, the strongest wine you could get without fortification was 15%, because then the yeast gets killed and fermentation stops. Now they've got some new super yeasts - so 15.5 (and I think even 16) is possible. High alcohol comes from a high sugar content in the grape and usually makes for a nice smooth easy drinking wine, and thumping hangover...

[suityou01]

I know people who make their own wine to a similar strength (tulipe). Can't say I've ever come across a decent wine of such strength personally but the proof is in the drinking.

If intended, quite a good pun.

[Cliphead]

I know people who make their own wine to a similar strength (tulipe). Can't say I've ever come across a decent wine of such strength personally but the proof is in the drinking.