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Wines like Amontillado sherry

Sherry that begins under flor and finishes exposed to air — the bridge between Fino and Oloroso, and dry despite appearances. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

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What do you like about Amontillado sherry?

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.

I like…

How full and weighty it is The creamy, rounded texture How aromatic it is The savoury, meaty side That it is properly dry

But it’s a bit…

too heavy too oaky or woody too peppery too perfumed too savoury or funky too austere

Clear all

What these words mean

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.
The vanilla and oak: Vanilla, toast, coconut, sweet spice, sometimes smoke. It comes from the barrel rather than the grape, which is why the same grape can taste completely different with and without it.
How aromatic it is: Some grapes announce themselves from across the room — Gewürztraminer, Muscat, Sauvignon Blanc. Others are far quieter, and quiet is not the same as dull.
The spice: Black pepper, clove, cinnamon. Some of it is the grape — the pepper in Syrah is a measured compound called rotundone — and some is the barrel.
The savoury, meaty side: Leather, olive, cured meat, dried herbs, tobacco. It is what people mean by calling a wine "serious" rather than "fruity", and it comes with age as well as with place.
That it is properly dry: No perceptible sugar at all. Almost all red wine is dry and a good deal of white wine is not, which is why this is a more useful thing to say about a white than about a red.

Looking for something keeping the creamy, rounded mouthfeel and that it is properly dry, while moving away from too heavy, too austere and too savoury or funky.

You said you like that it is properly dry and that it is too austere. 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.

Marsala

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
Has noticeably less of that it is properly dry.
About as heavy as the wine you started from.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

White Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
Has noticeably less of that it is properly dry.
About as heavy as the wine you started from.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Madeira

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
Has noticeably less of that it is properly dry.
About as heavy as the wine you started from.
Substantially less austere.
A little less savoury or funky.

Fino and Manzanilla sherry

Both are made from palomino fino, and both sit in the same style family.

Has some of the creamy, rounded mouthfeel, though less of it.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less heavy.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.

Palo Cortado

Both are made from palomino fino, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
About as heavy as the wine you started from.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.

Oloroso sherry

Both are made from palomino fino, and both sit in the same style family.

Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
More heavy, not less.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.

Sémillon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
Has noticeably less of that it is properly dry.
Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Pedro Ximénez sherry

Both come from the same country.

Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
Has noticeably less of that it is properly dry.
More heavy, not less.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.

Marsala

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

White Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more fruit-driven.

Madeira

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.

Fino and Manzanilla sherry

Both are made from palomino fino, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Different grape, similar feel

Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.

Marsala

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

White Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more fruit-driven.

Madeira

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.

Sémillon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter in alcohol.

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.

Fino and Manzanilla sherry

Both are made from palomino fino, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Sémillon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter in alcohol.

Chenin Blanc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher and more acidic.

Grechetto

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.

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.

Chenin Blanc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more fruit-driven.

Grechetto

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.

Franciacorta

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.

Méthode Cap Classique

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Oloroso sherry

Both are made from palomino fino, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.

Pedro Ximénez sherry

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.

Moscatel de Setúbal

Moscatel de Setúbal scores closest to Amontillado sherry across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.

Marsala

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Similar but less tannic

For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.

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.

White Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more fruit-driven.

Palo Cortado

Both are made from palomino fino, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.

Marsala

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Fino and Manzanilla sherry

Both are made from palomino fino, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Marsala

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Madeira

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.

Oloroso sherry

Both are made from palomino fino, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.

Moscatel de Setúbal

Moscatel de Setúbal scores closest to Amontillado sherry across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.

Similar but fresher

Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.

Madeira

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fuller and richer.

Chenin Blanc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more fruit-driven.

Corpinnat

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.

Champagne

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.

Similar but softer

Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.

Marsala

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.

White Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.

Pedro Ximénez sherry

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fuller and richer.

Moscatel de Setúbal

Moscatel de Setúbal scores closest to Amontillado sherry across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.

The sparkling version

Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.

Franciacorta

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.

Méthode Cap Classique

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.

California traditional-method sparkling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.

Corpinnat

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.

Similar but sweeter

Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.

Chenin Blanc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher and more acidic.

Hárslevelű

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.

Sémillon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter in alcohol.

Vouvray

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more fruit-driven.

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

Similar but less oaky

One of the commonest requests in wine. Strips oak influence while holding grape character and weight.

Fino and Manzanilla sherry

Both are made from palomino fino, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Grechetto

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.

Hárslevelű

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.

Albana

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and leaner and more cutting.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

California Chardonnay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.

Marsala

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

White Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more fruit-driven.

Madeira

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.

Similar but more aromatic

More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.

Palo Cortado

Both are made from palomino fino, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.

Marsala

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Oloroso sherry

Both are made from palomino fino, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.

White Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more fruit-driven.

Similar but more restrained

For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.

Marsala

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

White Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more fruit-driven.

Madeira

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.

Fino and Manzanilla sherry

Both are made from palomino fino, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Similar but more floral

Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.

Moscatel de Setúbal

Moscatel de Setúbal scores closest to Amontillado sherry across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.

Scheurebe

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and leaner and more cutting.

Hárslevelű

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.

Vouvray

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more fruit-driven.

Similar but more savoury

Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.

Fino and Manzanilla sherry

Both are made from palomino fino, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.

Palo Cortado

Both are made from palomino fino, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.

Marsala

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Madeira

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fuller and richer.

Similar but fruitier

More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.

Marsala

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.

White Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.

Madeira

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.

Oloroso sherry

Both are made from palomino fino, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.

Change the place

Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.

Same grape, cooler climate

Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.

Fino and Manzanilla sherry

Both are made from palomino fino, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Palo Cortado

Both are made from palomino fino, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.

Oloroso sherry

Both are made from palomino fino, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.

Same grape, warmer climate

Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.

Oloroso sherry

Both are made from palomino fino, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.

Palo Cortado

Both are made from palomino fino, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.

Fino and Manzanilla sherry

Both are made from palomino fino, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

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

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher and more acidic.

Something more adventurous

Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.

Marsala

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

White Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more fruit-driven.

Madeira

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.

Fino and Manzanilla sherry

Both are made from palomino fino, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

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.

Marsala

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

White Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more fruit-driven.

Madeira

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.

Fino and Manzanilla sherry

Both are made from palomino fino, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

How these are chosen

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.