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.
Refine
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.
Looking for something moving away from too austere, too light or thin, too savoury or funky and too plain or too simple.
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.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less austere.
- A little less light or thin.
- About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- About as plain or too simple as the wine you started from.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- About as plain or too simple as the wine you started from.
Petit Manseng
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- About as plain or too simple as the wine you started from.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
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.
Riesling
Riesling scores closest to Catarratto across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
English Bacchus
English Bacchus scores closest to Catarratto across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Bacchus
Bacchus scores closest to Catarratto across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Trebbiano Toscano
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
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.
Spätlese
Spätlese scores closest to Catarratto across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Riesling
Riesling scores closest to Catarratto across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Vinho Verde
Vinho Verde scores closest to Catarratto across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Trebbiano Toscano
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Condrieu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Viognier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
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.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Albana
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Friuli white
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
Mtsvane Kakhuri scores closest to Catarratto across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Petit Manseng
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Petite Arvine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
Montlouis-sur-Loire scores closest to Catarratto across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Austrian Sekt
Austrian Sekt scores closest to Catarratto across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Sekt
Sekt scores closest to Catarratto across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Crémant
Crémant scores closest to Catarratto across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
White Port
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Marsala
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 savoury, and lighter.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Silvaner
Silvaner scores closest to Catarratto across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Pinot Blanc
Pinot Blanc scores closest to Catarratto across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Friuli white
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and drier.
Savennières
Savennières scores closest to Catarratto across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and drier.
White Burgundy
White Burgundy scores closest to Catarratto across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and drier.
Greco di Tufo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and drier.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
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.
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.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Pinot Gris
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
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.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Australian Chardonnay
Australian Chardonnay scores closest to Catarratto across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
South African Chenin Blanc
South African Chenin Blanc scores closest to Catarratto across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
White Burgundy
White Burgundy scores closest to Catarratto across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
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.