What is Catarratto?

The quick answer

Catarratto is a white Vitis vinifera grape variety associated principally with Sicily, Italy. It has a long history in Sicilian viticulture and has been used for white wines, blends and some traditional fortified-wine production.

The important point is that Catarratto does not describe one fixed flavour profile. A fresh, early-picked wine made in stainless steel may taste quite different from a riper or more textured example. Vineyard conditions, crop level, harvest timing, fermentation, maturation and blending all influence the finished wine.

So, if you see “Catarratto” on a bottle, think of it as the name of the grape. It gives you a useful starting point, but not a complete prediction of sweetness, body, alcohol, oak or flavour.

Where does Catarratto come from?

Catarratto is historically and geographically linked with Sicily, the large Italian island in the Mediterranean. It has been especially important in western Sicily and is associated with areas including Trapani, Palermo and Agrigento.

That history matters because Catarratto has not always been used in the same way. It was important in larger-scale production and blending, while contemporary examples may be made as fresh, dry white wines. A wine’s regional identity and winemaking choices can therefore tell you as much about its style as the grape name itself.

Catarratto should not be confused with a Sicilian wine region or appellation. It is a variety. A bottle from Sicily may use a geographical indication as well as naming the grape, while an Australian bottle may use the grape name under Australian labelling requirements. Italian appellation rules should not automatically be applied to an Australian wine.

What are Catarratto Bianco Comune and Catarratto Bianco Lucido?

You may also see Catarratto discussed alongside two names:

• Catarratto Bianco Comune
• Catarratto Bianco Lucido

They are listed separately in Italy’s National Register of Vine Varieties. At the same time, Sicilian industry material reports genetic research describing them as closely related forms, or biotypes, of the same variety.

For a wine drinker, the practical lesson is simple: do not assume that these names are interchangeable in every country or on every label. Use the exact wording shown on the bottle, and remember that historical synonyms can have different legal or regional meanings.

What does Catarratto wine taste like?

There is no single guaranteed Catarratto taste, but possible characteristics include:

• citrus or lemon-like fruit;
• pale orchard fruit;
• floral notes;
• almond or other nut-like nuances;
• mineral or lightly savoury impressions.

These are possibilities rather than a checklist. Some wines may feel fresh and relatively light, while others may be broader, more generous or more textured.

Acidity

Catarratto can show noticeable freshness, but it is not safest to describe every example as a high-acid wine. Acidity depends partly on the growing conditions, ripeness at harvest and the way the wine is made.

Body and texture

The body may range from light to medium or fuller. Ripeness, alcohol, concentration, blending and maturation can all contribute to how substantial the wine feels.

Lees contact or maturation can give a wine more weight and texture. Conversely, an early-released wine made to preserve primary fruit may feel crisp, clean and straightforward.

Is Catarratto sweet or dry?

Catarratto can be made as a dry white wine, and many examples encountered by modern drinkers will be still rather than sparkling. However, the grape name alone does not establish sweetness.

Check the label, producer description or retailer notes for information about the finished wine. A dry wine can still taste fruity: “dry” refers to the level of residual sugar, not whether the wine smells or tastes like fruit.

Can Catarratto be used in a blend?

Yes. Catarratto may appear as a varietal wine or as one component of a blend. Blending can change the final balance of acidity, aroma, body and texture.

This is another reason not to treat the grape name as a complete style description. A wine made mostly from Catarratto may feel different from one in which Catarratto contributes to a blend with other varieties.

How might Australians encounter Catarratto?

Australian drinkers may come across Catarratto in an imported Sicilian wine or on an Australian wine label where the variety is used and the applicable labelling requirements are met.

Wine Australia explains that a grape variety can be used as an appropriate product description when it conveys the true nature of the product and relevant blending rules are satisfied. A variety name on an Australian label does not mean the wine follows Italian appellation rules.

The most useful way to read the label is to treat “Catarratto” as one piece of information. Look also for the wine’s country or region of origin, whether it is a blend, and any description of freshness, texture, oak or sweetness.

What food goes with Catarratto?

Start with the style of the bottle rather than pairing by grape name alone.

A fresh, dry Catarratto could work well with:

• seafood and grilled fish;
• prawns and other shellfish;
• salads and lightly dressed vegetables;
• lighter pasta with herbs, olive oil or seafood;
• fresh cheeses.

A fuller or more textured example may suit richer vegetable dishes, white meat or food with almond and herb elements.

Serve it chilled, but avoid making it so cold that its aromas disappear. The best pairing is usually the one that matches the wine’s freshness and body with the intensity of the dish.

Frequently asked questions

Is Catarratto a grape or a wine?

Catarratto is a grape variety. Wines made from it can differ considerably depending on where the grapes grow and how the wine is produced.

Is Catarratto the same as Catarratto Bianco Lucido?

Not quite so simply. Catarratto Bianco Lucido and Catarratto Bianco Comune are listed separately in Italy, but they are also discussed as closely related forms or biotypes. Do not assume the names are legally interchangeable everywhere.

Is Catarratto similar to Chardonnay?

Both can make white wines with a range of styles, but the grape name alone is not enough for a precise comparison. Catarratto may be fresh and citrusy or broader and more textured, depending on the wine. Chardonnay can also vary widely, so compare the actual wine style rather than relying only on the variety name.

Is Catarratto grown in Australia?

The supplied evidence does not establish current Australian planting levels or broad commercial availability. Australians may encounter the variety in imported wines or on Australian labels where relevant requirements are met.

What should I expect from a bottle labelled Catarratto?

Expect a white wine made from, or including, the Catarratto variety—but keep an open mind about its style. Check the label and description for clues about origin, blending, sweetness, freshness and texture.