If you like this, try…
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.
Refine
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.
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 savoury, non-fruity character and that it is properly dry, while moving away from too oaky or woody, too peppery and too savoury or funky.
- You said you like the savoury, non-fruity character and that it is too savoury or funky. Both are about savoury character, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
- You said you like the savoury, non-fruity character and that it is too savoury or funky. Both are about fruit intensity, 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.
Fino and Manzanilla sherry
Both are made from palomino fino, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less peppery.
- About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
Oloroso sherry
Both are made from palomino fino, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
- More peppery, not less.
- 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 savoury, non-fruity character.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
- More peppery, not less.
- About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
Marsala
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Has noticeably less of that it is properly dry.
- About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
- About as peppery as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
White Port
White Port scores closest to Amontillado sherry across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
- Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Has noticeably less of that it is properly dry.
- About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
- About as peppery as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Greco di Tufo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Jura Savagnin and Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less peppery.
- 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.
Fino and Manzanilla sherry
Both are made from palomino fino, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less spicy.
Oloroso sherry
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 spicier, and more oaky.
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 spicier, and more oaky.
Marsala
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more oaky.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Marsala
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more oaky.
White Port
White Port scores closest to Amontillado sherry across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more oaky.
Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more neutral and subtle.
Greco di Tufo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more neutral and subtle.
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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less spicy.
Jura Savagnin and Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more neutral and subtle.
Chablis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more neutral and subtle.
Etna Bianco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more neutral and subtle.
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.
Jura Savagnin and Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more neutral and subtle.
Chablis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter in alcohol.
Etna Bianco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more neutral and subtle.
Franken Silvaner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Oloroso sherry
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 spicier, and more oaky.
Pedro Ximénez sherry
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
Moscatel de Setúbal
Moscatel de Setúbal scores closest to Amontillado sherry across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, 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 spicier, and more oaky.
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.
Fino and Manzanilla sherry
Both are made from palomino fino, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less spicy.
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 spicier, and more oaky.
Oloroso sherry
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 spicier, and more oaky.
White Port
White Port scores closest to Amontillado sherry across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more oaky.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Oloroso sherry
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 spicier, and more oaky.
Marsala
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more oaky.
Rkatsiteli
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Kisi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more neutral and subtle.
Greco di Tufo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more neutral and subtle.
Jura Savagnin and Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more neutral and subtle.
Savennières
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Marsala
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more oaky.
Marsanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
White Port
White Port scores closest to Amontillado sherry across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more oaky.
Pedro Ximénez sherry
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Corpinnat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and sweeter.
Cava
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and sweeter.
Champagne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and sweeter.
English sparkling wine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and sweeter.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Cava
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less spicy.
Corpinnat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less spicy.
Champagne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less spicy.
English sparkling wine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less spicy.
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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less spicy.
Palomino Fino
Both are made from palomino fino, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Friulano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Greco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
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.
Fino and Manzanilla sherry
Both are made from palomino fino, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less spicy.
Oloroso sherry
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 more oaky, and spicier.
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 more oaky, and spicier.
Marsala
Marsala scores closest to Amontillado sherry across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and sweeter.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
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.
Fino and Manzanilla sherry
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 more savoury, and less spicy.
Oloroso sherry
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 spicier, and more oaky.
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 spicier, and more oaky.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Fino and Manzanilla sherry
Both are made from palomino fino, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less spicy.
Marsala
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more oaky.
White Port
White Port scores closest to Amontillado sherry across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more oaky.
Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fresher.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Soave
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Rías Baixas Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Sancerre
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
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.
Fino and Manzanilla sherry
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 more savoury, and less spicy.
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 more savoury, and spicier.
Oloroso sherry
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 more savoury, and spicier.
Marsala
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more oaky.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Marsala
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more oaky.
Oloroso sherry
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 spicier, and more oaky.
White Port
White Port scores closest to Amontillado sherry across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
Soave Classico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less spicy.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
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.
Fino and Manzanilla sherry
Both are made from palomino fino, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less spicy.
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 spicier, and more oaky.
Oloroso sherry
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 spicier, and more oaky.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Oloroso sherry
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 spicier, and more oaky.
Fino and Manzanilla sherry
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 more savoury, and less spicy.
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 spicier, and more oaky.
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.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Fino and Manzanilla sherry
Both are made from palomino fino, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less spicy.
Oloroso sherry
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 spicier, and more oaky.
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 spicier, and more oaky.
Marsala
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more 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.
Fino and Manzanilla sherry
Both are made from palomino fino, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less spicy.
Oloroso sherry
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 spicier, and more oaky.
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 spicier, and more oaky.
Marsala
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more oaky.
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.