If you like this, try…
Wines like Pedro Ximénez sherry
Almost-black sherry from sun-dried grapes — closer to raisin syrup than to wine, and one of the few things that works with chocolate. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Pedro Ximénez 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 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 moving away from too heavy, too buttery or thick and too oaky or woody.
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.
White Port
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- A little less heavy.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
- About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
Marsala
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- A little less heavy.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
- About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
Amontillado sherry
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- A little less heavy.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
- About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
Fino and Manzanilla sherry
Both come from the same country.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Palo Cortado
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- A little less heavy.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
- About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
Madeira
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- A little less heavy.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
- About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
Moscatel de Setúbal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
- A little less oaky or woody.
Oloroso sherry
Both come from the same country.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
- A little less buttery or thick.
- About as oaky or woody 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.
White Port
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Marsala
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Amontillado sherry
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Fino and Manzanilla sherry
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and leaner and more cutting.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
White Port
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Marsala
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Amontillado sherry
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Fino and Manzanilla sherry
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and leaner and more cutting.
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.
White Port
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more oaky.
Marsala
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Amontillado sherry
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Palo Cortado
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more oaky.
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.
Godello
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less spicy.
Verdicchio
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Rheinhessen Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Garganega
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Madeira
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and spicier.
Moscatel de Setúbal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Kisi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Fino and Manzanilla sherry
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
White Port
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Marsala
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Amontillado sherry
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 more 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.
White Port
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Marsala
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Amontillado sherry
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Fino and Manzanilla sherry
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and leaner and more cutting.
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 lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Méthode Cap Classique
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
California traditional-method sparkling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Cava
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and leaner and more cutting.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Godello
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.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Pfalz Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and leaner and more cutting.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Treixadura
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Antão Vaz
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.
White Port
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Marsala
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Amontillado sherry
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Fino and Manzanilla sherry
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and leaner and more cutting.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Amontillado sherry
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Moscatel de Setúbal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Palo Cortado
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more oaky.
Fino and Manzanilla sherry
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and leaner and more cutting.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Franken Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and leaner and more cutting.
Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and leaner and more cutting.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and leaner and more cutting.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and leaner and more cutting.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Moscatel de Setúbal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
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 less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Marsala
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Amontillado sherry
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Fino and Manzanilla sherry
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and leaner and more cutting.
Palo Cortado
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more oaky.
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.
Moscatel de Setúbal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
White Port
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Marsala
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and stronger and warmer.
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 less oaky, and softer and rounder.
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.
White Port
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Marsala
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Amontillado sherry
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Fino and Manzanilla sherry
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and leaner and more cutting.
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.
White Port
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Marsala
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Amontillado sherry
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Fino and Manzanilla sherry
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and leaner and more cutting.
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.