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 light or thin.
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.
Pedro Ximénez
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Condrieu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Viognier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Grenache Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Soave Classico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Fiano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Fiano di Avellino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Pedro Ximénez
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and sweeter.
Condrieu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and softer and rounder.
Viognier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and softer and rounder.
Grenache Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Pedro Ximénez
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and sweeter.
Condrieu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and softer and rounder.
Viognier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and softer and rounder.
Grenache Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
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.
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.
Pedro Ximénez
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and sweeter.
Condrieu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and softer and rounder.
Viognier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and softer and rounder.
Grenache Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
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.
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.
Greco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Greco di Tufo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Austrian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
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 more floral, and softer and rounder.
Pedro Ximénez
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and sweeter.
Viognier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and softer and rounder.
Grenache Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
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.
Pedro Ximénez
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and sweeter.
Condrieu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and softer and rounder.
Viognier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and softer and rounder.
Grenache Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Kisi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.
Recioto della Valpolicella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Greco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Greco di Tufo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Austrian Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more aromatic.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Condrieu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more aromatic.
Pedro Ximénez
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and sweeter.
Viognier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more aromatic.
Grenache Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Franciacorta
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Crémant
Crémant scores closest to Catarratto across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Méthode Cap Classique
Méthode Cap Classique scores closest to Catarratto across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Pedro Ximénez
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and stronger and warmer.
Pedro Ximénez sherry
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and stronger and warmer.
Recioto della Valpolicella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
Vin Santo
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.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Condrieu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
Viognier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Chilean Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Condrieu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and softer and rounder.
Viognier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and softer and rounder.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.
Gewürztraminer
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Palomino Fino
Palomino Fino scores closest to Catarratto across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Pinot Blanc
Pinot Blanc scores closest to Catarratto across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Condrieu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and softer and rounder.
Viognier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and softer and rounder.
Roussanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Vin Jaune
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and spicier.
Savennières
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Santorini Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Condrieu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and softer and rounder.
Viognier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and softer and rounder.
Pedro Ximénez
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and sweeter.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and spicier.
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.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Pedro Ximénez
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and sweeter.
Condrieu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and softer and rounder.
Viognier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and softer and rounder.
Grenache Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
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.
Pedro Ximénez
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and sweeter.
Condrieu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and softer and rounder.
Viognier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and softer and rounder.
Grenache Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Santorini Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.