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 keeping that it is properly dry, while moving away from too austere, too alcoholic or warming and too plain or too simple.
- You said you like that it is properly dry and that it is too austere. Both are about sweetness, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
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.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less austere.
- About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less austere.
- About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less austere.
- About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
California Chardonnay
California Chardonnay scores closest to Catarratto across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
- Has some of that it is properly dry, though less of it.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Friuli white
Both come from the same country.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Pfalz Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of that it is properly dry, though less of it.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Valais Petite Arvine
Valais Petite Arvine scores closest to Catarratto across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
- Has some of that it is properly dry, though less of it.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more neutral and subtle.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more neutral and subtle.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
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.
English still white
English still white scores closest to Catarratto across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Welsh white wine
Welsh white wine scores closest to Catarratto across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
English Bacchus
English Bacchus scores closest to Catarratto across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Bacchus
Bacchus scores closest to Catarratto across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
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.
Riesling
Riesling scores closest to Catarratto across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.
Spätlese
Spätlese scores closest to Catarratto across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.
Alpine white
Alpine white scores closest to Catarratto across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Trebbiano Toscano
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more neutral and subtle.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
Furmint
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 structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Friuli white
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
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 spicier, and fuller and richer.
Albana
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
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 in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Valais Petite Arvine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Vouvray
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and broader and softer.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Catarratto across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to Catarratto across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Franciacorta
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Crémant
Crémant scores closest to Catarratto across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
English sparkling wine
English sparkling wine scores closest to Catarratto across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Méthode Cap Classique
Méthode Cap Classique scores closest to Catarratto across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Madeira
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, 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 spicier, and fuller and richer.
White Port
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fuller and richer.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more neutral and subtle.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Catarratto across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to Catarratto across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Muscat of Alexandria
Muscat of Alexandria scores closest to Catarratto across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and broader and softer.
Silvaner
Silvaner scores closest to Catarratto across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Catarratto across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to Catarratto across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Muscat of Alexandria
Muscat of Alexandria scores closest to Catarratto across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
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 drier, and lighter in alcohol.
White Burgundy
White Burgundy scores closest to Catarratto across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
Vin Jaune
Vin Jaune scores closest to Catarratto across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Savennières
Savennières scores closest to Catarratto across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Catarratto across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to Catarratto across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Petit Manseng
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and broader and softer.
Etna Bianco
Both are made from catarratto, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in 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.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
California Chardonnay
California Chardonnay scores closest to Catarratto across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Australian Chardonnay
Australian Chardonnay scores closest to Catarratto across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
White Burgundy
White Burgundy scores closest to Catarratto across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more neutral and subtle.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Friuli white
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more neutral and subtle.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Friuli white
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Australian Chardonnay
Australian Chardonnay scores closest to Catarratto across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
White Burgundy
White Burgundy scores closest to Catarratto across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
South African Chenin Blanc
South African Chenin Blanc scores closest to Catarratto across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
California Chardonnay
California Chardonnay scores closest to Catarratto across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
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.