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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, that it is properly dry and the savoury, non-fruity character, while moving away from too savoury or funky, too austere and too peppery.

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.
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.
Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less austere.
About as peppery as the wine you started from.

White Port

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

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

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.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
Substantially less peppery.

Madeira

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
Has noticeably less of that it is properly dry.
Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
A little less savoury or funky.
Substantially less austere.
More peppery, not less.

Palo Cortado

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.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
More peppery, not less.

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.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
More peppery, not less.

Moscatel de Setúbal

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

Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
Has noticeably less of that it is properly dry.
Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less peppery.

Pedro Ximénez sherry

Both come from the same country.

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

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 spicier, and softer and rounder.

White Port

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

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

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.

Madeira

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 spicier, and softer and rounder.

White Port

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

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

Madeira

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

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 more savoury.

Sémillon

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

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

Chenin Blanc

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

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

Franciacorta

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.

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.

Szamorodni

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fresher and more acidic.

Chenin Blanc

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

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

Furmint

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

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

Grechetto

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.

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 drier, and spicier.

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.

Pedro Ximénez sherry

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and softer and rounder.

Vin Santo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and sweeter.

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

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

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

Marsala

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and softer and rounder.

Palo Cortado

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

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.

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 spicier, and softer and rounder.

Madeira

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Oloroso sherry

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

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.

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 spicier.

Szamorodni

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less spicy.

Chenin Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Furmint

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 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 softer and rounder, and spicier.

White Port

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

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

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.

Pedro Ximénez sherry

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and sweeter.

The sparkling version

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

Franciacorta

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.

Méthode Cap Classique

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.

California traditional-method sparkling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.

Corpinnat

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.

Similar but sweeter

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

Sémillon

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

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

Szamorodni

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fresher and more acidic.

Chenin Blanc

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

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

Furmint

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 more savoury.

Grechetto

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.

Bual

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fresher and more acidic.

Vidal

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Marsala

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and softer and rounder.

White Port

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

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

Oloroso sherry

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Palo Cortado

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Marsala

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and softer and rounder.

Oloroso sherry

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

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.

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 spicier, and softer and rounder.

White Port

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

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

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.

Madeira

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 sweeter, and more fruit-driven.

Scheurebe

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Muscat of Alexandria

Both come from the same country.

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

Marsala

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and softer and rounder.

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.

Marsala

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and softer and rounder.

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.

Madeira

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 fruitier, and spicier.

White Port

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

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

Madeira

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Oloroso sherry

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

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 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 spicier.

Oloroso sherry

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

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 drier, and spicier.

Palo Cortado

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

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.

Change the mood

Safer, stranger, cheaper or more serious.

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 spicier, and softer and rounder.

White Port

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

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

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.

Madeira

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 spicier, and softer and rounder.

White Port

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

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

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.

Madeira

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.