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 tropical or sweet-smelling, too heavy 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 tropical or sweet-smelling.
- A little less heavy.
- About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
Marsala
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- A little less heavy.
- 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 tropical or sweet-smelling.
- A little less heavy.
- About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
Fino and Manzanilla sherry
Both come from the same country.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Amontillado sherry
Both come from the same country.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- A little less heavy.
- About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
Palo Cortado
Both come from the same country.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- A little less heavy.
- About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
Moscatel de Setúbal
Both sit in the same style family.
- More tropical or sweet-smelling, not less.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
- A little less oaky or woody.
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 aromatic, 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 more oaky, and more aromatic.
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.
Fino and Manzanilla sherry
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.
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 aromatic, 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 more oaky, and more aromatic.
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.
Fino and Manzanilla sherry
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.
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 more aromatic, 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 more aromatic.
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.
Fino and Manzanilla sherry
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.
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.
Franken Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter in alcohol.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
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 more oaky, and more aromatic.
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
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fuller and richer.
Kisi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less oaky.
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 fresher and more acidic, and more aromatic.
Marsala
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 more oaky.
Fino and Manzanilla sherry
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
Madeira
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and spicier.
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.
Franciacorta
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
Méthode Cap Classique
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
California traditional-method sparkling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
Cava
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.
Franken Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.
Marsanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and drier.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and drier.
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 lighter, and more restrained in fruit.
Palomino Fino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Grenache Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Treixadura
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more aromatic.
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 more aromatic.
Madeira
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Moscatel de Setúbal
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more aromatic.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Fino and Manzanilla sherry
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter.
Moscatel de Setúbal
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fuller and richer.
Amontillado sherry
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more restrained in fruit.
Palo Cortado
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more restrained in fruit.
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 more restrained in fruit.
Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.
Palomino Fino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less oaky.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Moscatel de Setúbal
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fuller and richer.
Roussanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more restrained in fruit.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less oaky.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more aromatic.
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 more aromatic.
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.
Fino and Manzanilla sherry
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.
Amontillado sherry
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more restrained in fruit.
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.
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 aromatic, and more oaky.
Moscatel de Setúbal
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
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 more aromatic.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, 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 more oaky, and more aromatic.
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.
Fino and Manzanilla sherry
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.
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 aromatic, 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 more oaky, and more aromatic.
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.
Fino and Manzanilla sherry
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.
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.