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Wines like Fino and Manzanilla sherry

Bone-dry sherry aged under a living film of yeast — saline, bracing and among the most food-friendly wines made. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

← Back to Fino and Manzanilla sherry

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What do you like about Fino and Manzanilla 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…

The citrus and orchard fruit How light it is How aromatic it is The savoury, meaty side That it is properly dry

But it’s a bit…

too sharp or lemony too light or thin too sharp or acidic too perfumed too savoury or funky too austere

Clear all

What these words mean

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 light it is: A wine you can drink without it feeling like a commitment. Usually lower in alcohol as well as lighter in the mouth.
How fresh and crisp it is: Acidity is what makes your mouth water and makes a wine feel refreshing rather than heavy. It is the single most useful thing to know about your own taste.
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 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 that it is properly dry, while moving away from too austere.

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.

Madeira

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

Has noticeably less of that it is properly dry.
Substantially less austere.

Marsala

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

Has noticeably less of that it is properly dry.
Substantially less austere.

White Port

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

Has noticeably less of that it is properly dry.
Substantially less austere.

Amontillado sherry

curated

The same wine after the flor dies and oxidative ageing takes over.

Keeps that it is properly dry.
About as austere as the wine you started from.

Palo Cortado

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

Keeps that it is properly dry.
About as austere as the wine you started from.

Oloroso sherry

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

Keeps that it is properly dry.
About as austere 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.

Madeira

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

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

Marsala

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

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

White Port

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

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

Amontillado sherry

curated

The same wine after the flor dies and oxidative ageing takes over.

Expect: Darker, nuttier and more powerful, still dry.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Madeira

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

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

Marsala

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

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

White Port

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

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

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.

Mosel Riesling

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more floral.

Kabinett

Kabinett scores closest to Fino and Manzanilla sherry across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Madeira

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Marsala

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Finger Lakes Riesling

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

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

Vouvray

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

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

Furmint

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

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

Riesling

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

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Madeira

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

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

Marsala

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

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

White Port

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

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

Amontillado sherry

curated

The same wine after the flor dies and oxidative ageing takes over.

Expect: Darker, nuttier and more powerful, still dry.

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 fuller and richer, and fruitier.

Madeira

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

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

Marsala

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

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

Amontillado sherry

curated

The same wine after the flor dies and oxidative ageing takes over.

Expect: Darker, nuttier and more powerful, still dry.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Madeira

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

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

Marsala

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

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

Oloroso sherry

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

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

Albana

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

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

Similar but fresher

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

Petite Arvine

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

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

Finger Lakes Riesling

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

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

Vouvray

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

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

Riesling

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

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

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 fruitier.

White Port

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

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

Malvasia

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

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

Muscat of Alexandria

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

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

The sparkling version

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

Vouvray

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

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

Cava

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

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

English Blanc de Blancs

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Corpinnat

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

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

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 lighter in alcohol.

Petite Arvine

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

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

Trebbiano Toscano

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

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

Finger Lakes Riesling

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.

Petite Arvine

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

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

Trebbiano Toscano

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

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

Finger Lakes Riesling

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

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

Albana

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

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Madeira

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

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

Marsala

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.

White Port

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.

Amontillado sherry

curated

The same wine after the flor dies and oxidative ageing takes over.

Expect: Darker, nuttier and more powerful, still dry.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Amontillado sherry

curated

The same wine after the flor dies and oxidative ageing takes over.

Expect: Darker, nuttier and more powerful, still dry.

Palo Cortado

Both are made from palomino fino, and 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 drier, and fuller and richer.

Scheurebe

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

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

Similar but more restrained

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

Madeira

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

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

Marsala

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

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

White Port

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

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

Trebbiano Toscano

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

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

Similar but more floral

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

Scheurebe

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

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

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

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

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fruitier.

Muscat of Alexandria

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

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

Moscatel de Setúbal

Moscatel de Setúbal scores closest to Fino and Manzanilla sherry across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Madeira

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

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

Amontillado sherry

curated

The same wine after the flor dies and oxidative ageing takes over.

Expect: Darker, nuttier and more powerful, still dry.

Marsala

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

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

White Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 broader and softer.

White Port

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

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

Madeira

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

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

Petite Arvine

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

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

Change the place

Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Amontillado sherry

curated

The same wine after the flor dies and oxidative ageing takes over.

Expect: Darker, nuttier and more powerful, still dry.

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 fuller and richer.

Amontillado sherry

curated

The same wine after the flor dies and oxidative ageing takes over.

Expect: Darker, nuttier and more powerful, still dry.

Palo Cortado

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

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.

Madeira

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

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

Marsala

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

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

White Port

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

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

Amontillado sherry

curated

The same wine after the flor dies and oxidative ageing takes over.

Expect: Darker, nuttier and more powerful, still dry.

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.

Madeira

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

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

Marsala

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

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

White Port

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

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

Amontillado sherry

curated

The same wine after the flor dies and oxidative ageing takes over.

Expect: Darker, nuttier and more powerful, still dry.

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.