Final answer:
Fino Sherry is fortified with a grape spirit after the initial fermentation, raising its alcohol level to 15-16% to allow the development of 'flor', which is essential for its unique flavor and protection.
Step-by-step explanation:
Fino Sherry is a type of fortified wine that undergoes a specific process during its production. Fortification is an important step in making Fino Sherry, which occurs after the initial fermentation process. Once the wine has fermented and reached an alcohol level of about 11-12%, a grape spirit known as aguardiente is added.
This addition increases the alcohol content to between 15-16% for Fino Sherry. The higher alcohol content is essential for the development of a layer of yeast called flor, which forms naturally on the surface of the wine in the cask. This flor layer is unique to Fino Sherry and is crucial in giving it its distinctive dry and yeasty flavor profile as well as protecting it from excessive oxidation.