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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.

I like…

That it is not oaky That it is properly dry

But it’s a bit…

too sharp or lemony too light or thin too alcoholic or warming too plain or too simple too savoury or funky too austere

Clear all

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.

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.

Grillo

curated

Its usual partner in Sicilian whites, and the variety it is most often compared with.

Keeps that it is properly dry.

Vermentino

curated

A close match among Mediterranean whites: citrus, green almond and a saline finish.

Keeps that it is properly dry.

Etna Bianco

Both are made from catarratto, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Keeps that it is properly dry.

Trebbiano Abruzzese

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Keeps that it is properly dry.

Vernaccia di San Gimignano

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Keeps that it is properly dry.

Trebbiano di Soave

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Keeps that it is properly dry.

Verdicchio

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Keeps that it is properly dry.

Ribolla Gialla

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Keeps that it is properly dry.

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

curated

Its 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

curated

A 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

curated

Its 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

curated

A 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.

Aligoté

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more oaky.

Alpine white

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more oaky.

Colombard

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, 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 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.

Alpine white

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more oaky.

Colombard

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.

Hondarrabi Zuri

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more sparkling.

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.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Antão Vaz

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more fruit-driven.

Assyrtiko

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more oaky.

Australian Chardonnay

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.

Austrian Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more aromatic.

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.

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.

Altesse

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.

Brda Rebula

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more oaky.

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 fuller and richer.

Istrian Malvazija

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.

Kisi

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.

Similar but fresher

Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.

Albariño

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more oaky.

Aligoté

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter.

Alpine white

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter.

Alvarinho (Monção e Melgaço)

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more aromatic.

Similar but softer

Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.

Antão Vaz

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more fruit-driven.

Arneis

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.

Athiri

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and leaner and more cutting.

Auxerrois

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and broader and softer.

The sparkling version

Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.

Melon de Bourgogne

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and fresher and more acidic.

Muscadet

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and fresher and more acidic.

Hondarrabi Zuri

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and lighter.

Txakoli

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and lighter.

Similar but sweeter

Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.

Grechetto

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Garganega

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more floral.

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.

Trebbiano Romagnolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter.

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Alvarinho (Monção e Melgaço)

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.

Assyrtiko

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.

Australian Chardonnay

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.

Chardonnay

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and spicier.

Similar but more aromatic

More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.

Albariño

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more oaky.

Australian Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

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

curated

Its 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.

Similar but more restrained

For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.

Chasselas

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.

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.

Gavi

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 more oaky.

Koshu

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Similar but more floral

Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.

Albariño

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more oaky.

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 more fruit-driven.

Athiri

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and softer and rounder.

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 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.

Franken Silvaner

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more oaky.

Muscadet

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and fresher and more acidic.

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.

Similar but fruitier

More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.

Antão Vaz

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fuller and richer.

Avesso

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer.

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.

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.

Change the place

Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.

Same grape, cooler climate

Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.

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 fuller and richer, and more oaky.

Same grape, warmer climate

Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.

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 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.

Chardonnay

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.

Grüner Veltliner

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more herbal and green.

Something more adventurous

Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.

Grillo

curated

Its 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

curated

A 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

curated

Its 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

curated

A 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.

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.

White Burgundy

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.

How these are chosen

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.