Should I fortify? (And preference?)

[Bent-Brewer]

I just got a Chocolate Raspberry Port kit in and proceeded to pull the trigger on the Black Forest a couple days later. If I fortify, I would probably just use a single bottle of brandy in a 3-gallon batch, and rack onto that until the carboy is topped off. I see a lot of back-and-forth on fortification; how people feel everclear doesn't blend as well, how brandy will change the flavors, etc...

Since these are my first port kits (plenty of beer/cider under my belt, but only 1 wine so far), I'm curious how people feel about the addition of brandy, especially in the Chocolate Raspberry / Black Forest kits. Does it improve the flavor/character (or how would you say it changes), would you recommend it, etc? If so, what brandy would you recommend?

I have no personal experience to go on here, but am looking forward to changing that.

Edit:
If I had looked onto the next page instead of searching Google, I would have found my answers:

1. Most people recommend fortifying with E&J VSOP Brandy.
2. You get about 1%ABV fortification from a 750mL brandy added to 1 gallon of port.
3. The addition of the brandy will lighten the color and give a warmer feel to the port. Flavor change depends on the amount added. Common sense stuff (though I guess I'm looking more for opintions of "would you recommend it".)

 

[JohnT]

I like EJ. The brandy does bring nice flavor to the party.

I have found that an average wine takes a 3:2 ratio of wine to brandy. To get the proper amount of fortifier to wine is best determined by using the pearson's square. here is a link that explains it..

http://winemakersacademy.com/blending-wine-pearsons-square/

 

[TonyR]

Made port a few times, i use 100 proof vodka to fortify. And boy does it get so much better after 4 or 5 years aging in the bottle. Here is another link for calculating for the Math handicapped.
http://www.winebusiness.com/tools/?go=winemaking.calc&sid=7#calc-menu-2

 

[vacuumpumpman]

I like using everclear - but I add alot of oak to the everclear for over a month prior to using it. In my opinion - it does not drastically change the taste of the port you are making, it only enhances it.

 

[JohnT]

use 2 gallons of EJ brandy (ernest and julio) to 3 gallons of wine. the results are surpurb!