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 full body and weight and the touch of sweetness.
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.
Moscatel de Setúbal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- Keeps the touch of sweetness.
Pedro Ximénez
Both are made from pedro ximénez, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- Keeps the touch of sweetness.
Marsala
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
- Has noticeably less of the touch of sweetness.
Madeira
Both sit in the same style family.
- Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
- Has noticeably less of the touch of sweetness.
White Port
Both sit in the same style family.
- Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
- Has noticeably less of the touch of sweetness.
Recioto della Valpolicella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- Keeps the touch of sweetness.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- Keeps the touch of sweetness.
Sauternes
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
- Keeps the touch of sweetness.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Moscatel de Setúbal
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 floral.
Pedro Ximénez
Both are made from pedro ximénez, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Marsala
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Madeira
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Moscatel de Setúbal
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 floral.
Marsala
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Madeira
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
White Port
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
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.
Marsala
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Madeira
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
White Port
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Coteaux du Layon
Coteaux du Layon scores closest to Pedro Ximénez sherry across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
Sauternes
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Recioto della Valpolicella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Vin de Constance
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Moscatel de Setúbal
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 floral.
Marsala
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Madeira
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Recioto della Valpolicella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Moscatel de Setúbal
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 floral.
Marsala
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Madeira
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Sauternes
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
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.
Moscatel de Setúbal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more aromatic.
Pedro Ximénez
Both are made from pedro ximénez, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Asti
Asti scores closest to Pedro Ximénez sherry across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Vouvray
Vouvray scores closest to Pedro Ximénez sherry across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Pedro Ximénez
Both are made from pedro ximénez, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and less oaky.
Moscatel de Setúbal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and more aromatic.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Vin Santo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
Bual
Bual scores closest to Pedro Ximénez sherry across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Marsala
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Madeira
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
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.
Pedro Ximénez
Both are made from pedro ximénez, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy.
Recioto della Valpolicella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Beerenauslese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Vin de Constance
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Marsala
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Madeira
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Moscatel de Setúbal
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 floral.
Vin de Constance
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more aromatic.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Sauternes
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
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.
Moscatel de Setúbal
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 floral.
Pedro Ximénez
Both are made from pedro ximénez, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less oaky.
Marsala
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Madeira
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Moscatel de Setúbal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less spicy.
Vin de Constance
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Pedro Ximénez
Both are made from pedro ximénez, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Marsala
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Madeira
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Marsala
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Oloroso sherry
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
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
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 floral.
Pedro Ximénez
Both are made from pedro ximénez, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Recioto della Valpolicella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Sauternes
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
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.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
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.
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.
Moscatel de Setúbal
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 floral.
Pedro Ximénez
Both are made from pedro ximénez, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Marsala
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Madeira
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
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.
Moscatel de Setúbal
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 floral.
Pedro Ximénez
Both are made from pedro ximénez, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Marsala
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Madeira
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
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.
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.