The Wine Reference🍷 SupportCatarratto grape
Catarratto is a white grape known for citrus, apple, almond. Its best-known homes are Sicily.
Origin and history
A Sicilian native and one of Italy's most planted white grapes; DNA shows it is a parent-offspring relative of the Veneto's Garganega.
Where it grows
Western Sicily, especially Trapani, Palermo and Agrigento: Alcamo DOC, Marsala, Salaparuta and the Sicilia DOC.
Structure
Medium body, medium to high acidity and moderate alcohol; usually dry and unoaked, with a pithy texture.
Aromas, young and aged
Young: lemon, green apple, herbs and almond with a saline note. With age: honey, chamomile and dried citrus.
Ageing
Best within 1–3 years; serious single-vineyard examples can hold for around 5.
Also known as
Catarratto Bianco Comune, Catarratto Bianco Lucido.
Good to know
It is one of the parents of Grillo and a traditional component of Marsala, though most of it once went into bulk wine and grape concentrate.
Similar white grapes
Explore all grapes in the interactive guide
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