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 and that the fruit is not covered in oak, while moving away from too savoury or funky and too sharp or lemony.
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.
Arneis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
Malvazija Istarska
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
Treixadura
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
Auxerrois
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
Athiri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
Grillo
curatedIts usual partner in Sicilian whites, and the variety it is most often compared with.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
- About as sharp or lemony 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.
Arneis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fruitier.
Malvazija Istarska
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fruitier.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more floral.
Treixadura
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fruitier.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Arneis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fruitier.
Malvazija Istarska
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fruitier.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more floral.
Treixadura
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fruitier.
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.
Parellada
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more neutral and subtle.
Müller-Thurgau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more neutral and subtle.
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 fresher.
Loureiro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
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.
Loureiro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Colombard
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more neutral and subtle.
Parellada
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more neutral and subtle.
Moschofilero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more floral.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
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.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more floral.
Auxerrois
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fruitier.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more floral.
Malvazija Istarska
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fruitier.
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 savoury.
Tsolikouri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more savoury.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Šipon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more neutral and subtle.
Loureiro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Colombard
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more neutral and subtle.
Cortese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more neutral and subtle.
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 neutral and subtle, and fruitier.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more floral.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Glera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fresher.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Prosecco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Asti
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Solaris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
Maria Gomes
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
Müller-Thurgau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more neutral and subtle.
Trebbiano Romagnolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fresher.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Pošip
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Roero Arneis
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Macabeo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more floral.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more floral.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Falanghina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.
Chasselas
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more savoury.
Koshu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fresher.
Cortese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fresher.
Jacquère
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fresher.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more floral.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more floral.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Falanghina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Palomino Fino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more neutral and subtle.
Retsina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher.
Rkatsiteli
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher.
Friulano
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more floral.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more floral.
Avesso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.
Antão Vaz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.
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.
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.
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 more neutral and subtle, and fresher.
Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more oaky.
Glera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fresher.
Australian Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Arneis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fruitier.
Malvazija Istarska
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fruitier.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more floral.
Treixadura
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fruitier.
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.
Arneis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fruitier.
Malvazija Istarska
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fruitier.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more floral.
Treixadura
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fruitier.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
White Burgundy
White Burgundy scores closest to Catarratto across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fresher.
Australian Chardonnay
Australian Chardonnay scores closest to Catarratto across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, 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 more oaky, 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.