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 keeping the touch of sweetness, while moving away from too oaky or woody and too sweet.
- You said you like the touch of sweetness and that it is too sweet. 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.
White Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Has noticeably less of the touch of sweetness.
- About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less sweet.
Marsala
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Has noticeably less of the touch of sweetness.
- About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less sweet.
Moscatel de Setúbal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the touch of sweetness.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- About as sweet as the wine you started from.
Madeira
Both sit in the same style family.
- Has noticeably less of the touch of sweetness.
- About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less sweet.
Fino and Manzanilla sherry
Both come from the same country.
- Has noticeably less of the touch of sweetness.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less sweet.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Marsala
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Moscatel de Setúbal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more oaky.
Madeira
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
White Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Marsala
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Moscatel de Setúbal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more oaky.
Madeira
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Marsala
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Madeira
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Fino and Manzanilla sherry
Both come from the same country.
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.
Auslese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and spicier.
Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Moscato d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Vouvray
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Marsala
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Moscatel de Setúbal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more oaky.
Madeira
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Ruby Port
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
White Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Marsala
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Moscatel de Setúbal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more oaky.
Fino and Manzanilla sherry
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
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.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Moscato d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Vouvray
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Franciacorta
Franciacorta scores closest to Pedro Ximénez sherry across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Bual
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Moscato d’Asti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Asti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Auslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and spicier.
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 come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Bual
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Pedro Ximénez
Both are made from pedro ximénez, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and sweeter.
Ruby Port
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fresher and more acidic.
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.
Moscatel de Setúbal
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and sweeter.
White Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
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 drier.
Madeira
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Moscatel de Setúbal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more oaky.
Fino and Manzanilla sherry
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Moscato d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
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, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Marsala
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Madeira
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
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 sweeter, and more oaky.
Moscato d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Marsala
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Madeira
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Fino and Manzanilla sherry
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Amontillado sherry
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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 sweeter, and more oaky.
White Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Ruby Port
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fresher and more acidic.
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.
White Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Marsala
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Moscatel de Setúbal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more oaky.
Madeira
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Marsala
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Moscatel de Setúbal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more oaky.
Madeira
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
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.