If you like this, try…
Wines like Pedro Ximénez
The grape behind the darkest and sweetest sherry, made from sun-dried grapes. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Pedro Ximénez?
Optional — the results below already work without it. But “I like Malbec” is at least four different preferences wearing one name, and saying which one you mean changes the answer substantially. Only qualities this wine actually has are offered.
What these words mean
- The tropical fruit
- Passionfruit, mango, pineapple, guava. It comes from riper fruit and warmer sites, and it is the difference between Marlborough and Sancerre in the same grape.
- The citrus and orchard fruit
- Lemon, lime, green apple, pear. The signature of a cool-climate white — quieter and less perfumed than tropical fruit, and a different thing from the acidity it usually travels with.
- How full and weighty it is
- Body is how much the wine seems to fill your mouth — the difference between skimmed and whole milk. It comes mostly from alcohol and ripeness.
- The creamy, rounded texture
- A soft, almost dairy-like roundness. In white wine it usually comes from malolactic fermentation or from time on the lees, not from the grape.
- That it is not oaky
- No barrel character — just the fruit and the acidity. Chablis and Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc are the reference points.
- The touch of sweetness
- Actual sugar left in the wine, which is a different thing from tasting fruity. A wine can smell of ripe peach and be completely dry.
Looking for something keeping the touch of sweetness, while moving away from too sweet, too plain or too simple and too heavy.
- You said you like the touch of sweetness and that it is too sweet. Both are about sweetness, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
Based on what you said
Ranked against the qualities you named rather than against the wine as a whole. The directions below are refined the same way.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of the touch of sweetness.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less heavy.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of the touch of sweetness.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less heavy.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of the touch of sweetness.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less heavy.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of the touch of sweetness.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less heavy.
Coteaux du Layon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the touch of sweetness.
- About as sweet as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less heavy.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of the touch of sweetness.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less heavy.
Vouvray
Vouvray scores closest to Pedro Ximénez across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
- Has noticeably less of the touch of sweetness.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less heavy.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Has noticeably less of the touch of sweetness.
- Substantially less sweet.
- About as plain or too simple as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less heavy.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Change the structure
Same idea, different weight, grip or freshness.
Similar but lighter
Keeps the character but reduces weight, alcohol and density in the mouth.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Similar but lower in alcohol
Holds the character and the weight where it can, and moves specifically on strength. Note that below about 11% the choices narrow sharply, and below 5% they are mostly a different category rather than a lighter version of the same one.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
Vouvray
Vouvray scores closest to Pedro Ximénez across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Albana
Albana scores closest to Pedro Ximénez across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Istrian Malvazija
Istrian Malvazija scores closest to Pedro Ximénez across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Coteaux du Layon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
Vouvray
Vouvray scores closest to Pedro Ximénez across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Nothing in WineHQ's catalogue makes this move meaningfully from here. These are the closest wines otherwise, but do not expect them to deliver what you asked for — the honest answer is that this style does not have a good neighbour in that direction.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Marsanne
Marsanne scores closest to Pedro Ximénez across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Vouvray
Vouvray scores closest to Pedro Ximénez across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Corpinnat
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Franciacorta
Franciacorta scores closest to Pedro Ximénez across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Méthode Cap Classique
Méthode Cap Classique scores closest to Pedro Ximénez across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Szamorodni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
White Port
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Gewürztraminer
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Scheurebe
Scheurebe scores closest to Pedro Ximénez across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Silvaner
Silvaner scores closest to Pedro Ximénez across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo scores closest to Pedro Ximénez across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Franken Silvaner
Franken Silvaner scores closest to Pedro Ximénez across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Gewürztraminer
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Bual
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
New Zealand Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Nothing in WineHQ's catalogue makes this move meaningfully from here. These are the closest wines otherwise, but do not expect them to deliver what you asked for — the honest answer is that this style does not have a good neighbour in that direction.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Gewürztraminer
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Petit Manseng
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Change the mood
Safer, stranger, cheaper or more serious.
A safe next step
Well-known wines that are widely available and unlikely to surprise anyone.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Coteaux du Layon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
A better-value alternative
Wines that occupy similar sensory territory from regions carrying less price premium. WineHQ does not hold live prices, so this reasons from regional reputation and demand rather than from a price feed — treat it as a lead, not a quote.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Coteaux du Layon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Nothing in WineHQ's catalogue makes this move meaningfully from here. These are the closest wines otherwise, but do not expect them to deliver what you asked for — the honest answer is that this style does not have a good neighbour in that direction.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Each suggestion is scored across sixteen taste dimensions, weighted so that structure matters more than flavour, and adjusted for whether the wine actually moves in the direction you asked for. Curated links from an editor carry extra weight — but only when the editor tagged them for this direction. Nothing here is a black box; see the taste model for the full method.