Pedro Ximenez, known universally as PX, is the richest and sweetest style of sherry, made from sun-dried grapes that concentrate extraordinary flavours of figs, raisins, molasses and dark chocolate. Unlike the dry styles such as fino and oloroso, PX sherry is intensely sweet, with natural sugar levels that can exceed 400 grams per litre. The result is a wine of extraordinary concentration and depth, closer in character to a dessert sauce than a conventional wine.
PX is a favourite for pouring over vanilla ice cream, pairing with dark chocolate and blue cheese, or enjoying slowly after dinner. Within this collection you will find classic PX bottlings alongside rare aged VORS expressions from Gonzalez Byass and Sandeman, each chosen for depth, balance and authenticity. For more on PX and all sherry styles see our complete guide to sherry and our guide to cooking with sherry.
Gonzalez Byass Noe VORS 30 Year Old Pedro Ximenez Sherry This is one of the most prestigious expressions in the house’s range, drawn from an extens...
Frequently Asked Questions About Pedro Ximenez Sherry
What is Pedro Ximenez Sherry?
Pedro Ximenez, or PX, is a style of sherry produced in Jerez, Spain, made from sun-dried PX grapes that concentrate sugars to extraordinary levels before fermentation. The result is one of the sweetest wines in the world, with intense flavours of raisins, dried figs, molasses, dark chocolate and coffee. It is aged in the Solera system alongside other sherry styles but retains its distinctive sweetness throughout. For more on how sherry is made see our guide to the Solera system.
How sweet is Pedro Ximenez sherry?
PX is one of the sweetest wine styles in the world, with natural sugar levels often exceeding 400 grams per litre, compared to around 9 grams per litre in a dry table wine. Despite this extraordinary sweetness it is not cloying in the way that cheaper dessert wines can be, because the concentration of dried fruit flavours and the natural acidity of the grape provides balance. VORS aged expressions from Gonzalez Byass develop even greater complexity with decades of barrel ageing.
What does Pedro Ximenez pair well with?
PX pairs beautifully with dark chocolate, chocolate brownies, sticky toffee pudding, Christmas pudding and blue cheese. The classic and most impressive way to serve it is poured generously over good vanilla ice cream, the contrast between the cold, creamy ice cream and the thick, intensely sweet PX is one of the simplest and most impressive desserts you can serve. For more pairing ideas see our PX with chocolate pairing guide.
How should Pedro Ximenez sherry be served?
PX is best served slightly chilled at around 12 to 14 degrees Celsius. This temperature softens the sweetness and brings out the deeper flavours of figs, toffee and dark chocolate. No decanting is needed. Once opened, PX keeps well for several months in the fridge, its extraordinarily high sugar content acts as a natural preservative, making it one of the most practical sherries to have open at home. For a full guide to serving all sherry styles see our sherry serving and storage guide.
How should Pedro Ximenez sherry be served?
Unopened PX should be kept in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight. Unlike dry sherry styles such as fino and manzanilla, which deteriorate quickly once opened, PX is remarkably stable and does not require special storage conditions. Once opened, reseal and refrigerate, a bottle of PX can remain in excellent condition for several months after opening, making it excellent value compared to other premium dessert wines.
Is Pedro Ximenez the same as sherry?
Yes, PX is a style of sherry, produced in the Jerez region of Spain under the same appellation rules as fino, amontillado and oloroso. What makes it distinct is the grape variety and production method, the Pedro Ximenez grape is dried in the sun before pressing, concentrating its sugars to extraordinary levels and creating the intense sweetness and dried fruit character that defines the style. Browse our guide to the styles of sherry wine for a full comparison of every sherry style.
Spain
Diatomists Pedro Ximenez Sherry 37.5cl
