If you like this, try…
Wines like Catarratto
Sicily’s most planted white variety, historically used for Marsala and bulk wine, now increasingly bottled seriously. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
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What do you like about Catarratto?
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 citrus and orchard fruit
- Lemon, lime, green apple, pear. The signature of a cool-climate white — quieter and less perfumed than tropical fruit, and a different thing from the acidity it usually travels with.
- How light it is
- A wine you can drink without it feeling like a commitment. Usually lower in alcohol as well as lighter in the mouth.
- That it is not too strong
- Alcohol you notice as warmth at the back of the throat. Some people find it a pleasant part of a big red and some find it tiring.
- That it is not oaky
- No barrel character — just the fruit and the acidity. Chablis and Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc are the reference points.
- The savoury, meaty side
- Leather, olive, cured meat, dried herbs, tobacco. It is what people mean by calling a wine "serious" rather than "fruity", and it comes with age as well as with place.
- That it is properly dry
- No perceptible sugar at all. Almost all red wine is dry and a good deal of white wine is not, which is why this is a more useful thing to say about a white than about a red.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Grillo
curatedIts usual partner in Sicilian whites, and the variety it is most often compared with.
Expect: Grillo is more tropical and richer; Catarratto is fresher and more citric.
Vermentino
curatedA close match among Mediterranean whites: citrus, green almond and a saline finish.
Expect: Catarratto is a little fuller and less overtly herbal.
Etna Bianco
Both are made from catarratto, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more oaky.
Trebbiano Abruzzese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Grillo
curatedIts usual partner in Sicilian whites, and the variety it is most often compared with.
Expect: Grillo is more tropical and richer; Catarratto is fresher and more citric.
Vermentino
curatedA close match among Mediterranean whites: citrus, green almond and a saline finish.
Expect: Catarratto is a little fuller and less overtly herbal.
Trebbiano Abruzzese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
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.
Trebbiano Romagnolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more fruit-driven.
Koshu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.
Parellada
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more fruit-driven.
Trebbiano Toscano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more neutral and subtle.
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.
Hunter Valley Semillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Colombard
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
Alpine white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more oaky.
Melon de Bourgogne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Soave Classico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more oaky.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more oaky.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
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.
Verdicchio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Grechetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Friulano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Xarel·lo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Rkatsiteli
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more savoury.
Ribolla Gialla
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Tsolikouri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Chosen because you asked for something more structured.
Trebbiano Spoletino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Etna Bianco
Both are made from catarratto, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Trebbiano Spoletino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured.
Carricante
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury.
Arinto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Chosen because you asked for something fresher.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Auxerrois
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and broader and softer.
Grenache Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and softer and rounder.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more fruit-driven.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and sweeter.
Glera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and sweeter.
Franciacorta
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and sweeter.
Prosecco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Grechetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more fruit-driven.
Garganega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more oaky.
Graševina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and spicier.
White Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more aromatic.
Chilean Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Falanghina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more fruit-driven.
Grillo
curatedIts usual partner in Sicilian whites, and the variety it is most often compared with.
Expect: Grillo is more tropical and richer; Catarratto is fresher and more citric.
Torrontés
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Australian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky.
Pinot Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Cortese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Falanghina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more fruit-driven.
Australian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Kerner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more fruit-driven.
Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more oaky.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Etna Bianco
Both are made from catarratto, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more oaky.
Friulano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fruitier.
Palomino Fino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more neutral and subtle.
Franken Silvaner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more oaky.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Falanghina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more aromatic.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer.
Grillo
curatedIts usual partner in Sicilian whites, and the variety it is most often compared with.
Expect: Grillo is more tropical and richer; Catarratto is fresher and more citric.
Kerner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more floral.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Marsala
Both are made from catarratto, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more oaky.
Etna Bianco
Both are made from catarratto, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
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.
Pinot Grigio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more neutral and subtle.
Chablis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more oaky.
Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more oaky.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Grillo
curatedIts usual partner in Sicilian whites, and the variety it is most often compared with.
Expect: Grillo is more tropical and richer; Catarratto is fresher and more citric.
Vermentino
curatedA close match among Mediterranean whites: citrus, green almond and a saline finish.
Expect: Catarratto is a little fuller and less overtly herbal.
Etna Bianco
Both are made from catarratto, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more oaky.
Trebbiano Abruzzese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
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.
Grillo
curatedIts usual partner in Sicilian whites, and the variety it is most often compared with.
Expect: Grillo is more tropical and richer; Catarratto is fresher and more citric.
Vermentino
curatedA close match among Mediterranean whites: citrus, green almond and a saline finish.
Expect: Catarratto is a little fuller and less overtly herbal.
Etna Bianco
Both are made from catarratto, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more oaky.
Trebbiano Abruzzese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
Santorini Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fuller and richer.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
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.